化整为零
huà​zhěng​wéi​líng

to break up the whole into parts

  1. 化 huà nounverb
    to change
    to change; to transform; to convert
  2. 整 zhěng adjective
    whole
    whole; entire; complete; often used before a measure word or to describe a duration of time
  3. 为 為 wéi verbpreposition
    to be
    to be; to become; to act as; to serve as; to take as
  4. 零 líng noun
    fragmentary
    small; fractional; fragmentary; odd; refers to things that are scattered or not a whole set