Grammar fix
collapse
negotiations fail
If negotiations or talks collapse, they fail completely and cannot continue.
How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Peace talks collapsed after both sides rejected the latest proposal.
There was a big row in my neighbourhood about a new car park, and the talks with the council just collapsed, so it's still not sorted.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The negotiations broke after three days.
Say: The negotiations collapsed after three days. / The negotiations broke down after three days.
Talks don't just 'break'; say they 'collapsed' or 'broke down'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Talks fail and can't continue
How formalConversationalMore formal
fall apartTalks or plans stop working and fail completely.break downTalks or negotiations fail because agreement becomes impossible.
collapseYou're here · News style: talks fail suddenly and completely; stronger and more final than 'break down'.