What does the expression '(to) Come Undone' means?

Question

Hi, I'm Italian
Can anybody be so kind to explain me the meaning of the expression 'TO COME UNDONE'? Is it something like an idiomatic phrase?
Can you post even some examples?
Thanks a lot!!!
If you don't speak Italian feel free to reply in English, I have no problems in understanding :-)

Answer 1

"She tripped because her shoelaces had come undone" (untied/loosened).

"Don Imus' reputation came undone (was ruined) by the comments he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team."

"When the Emergency Room nurse saw that the blood-covered patient on the gurney was her own daughter, she came undone (lost her composure, became emotional, broke down)".

"There was a loose stitch on the knitted sweater. The more the little boy pulled on it, the more the sweater came undone (came apart, unravelled)".

Answer 2

It dates back to a time when the most common method of holding things together was to tie them together. Straw roofs were lashed together, people didn't have zippers and buttons were not as common as today for examples. So when you came undone it meant that something wasn't working the way it should. Either your roof was blowing away or your bed collapsed or perhaps even, your clothes fell open. In more recent times it has come to mean when your plans have not gone the way you meant them to, this will often mean failure or defeat.

Answer 3

its an expression usually refering to emotional things

If my boyfriend doesnt get me a present for our 6 week aniversary Igonna come undone (upset)

Answer 4

It means to lose control over an emotional outburst. Usually has to do with frustrating circumstances. Also a common experience to control freaks when they don't get their way.

Answer 5

If mama drops her spaghetti in the kitchen and some important person is about to arrive she will shout "Mama mia!!"

That's a good example. :)

Emotional breakdown.

Answer 6

to come undone means to lose control oneself emotionally...