'Tear at the fabric'

[Agnes]

Could someone please explain what this, obviously, figure of speech means in a sentence like : "This would tear at the fabric of society"? Or is it perhaps not a figure of speech?:-?

 

[susiedq]

fabric of society = what holds us together as members of a group, or society. It's a metaphor using 'fabric' to show how this feeling, creed, action or belief are like threads in a piece of cloth, tightly woven together.


So to tear (rip apart) this "fabric" could be very disruptive to everything this society holds sacred.

 

[Agnes]

Thanks a lot. It all makes sense now.

fabric of society = what holds us together as members of a group, or society. It's a metaphor using 'fabric' to show how this feeling, creed, action or belief are like threads in a piece of cloth, tightly woven together.


So to tear (rip apart) this "fabric" could be very disruptive to everything this society holds sacred.