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Tear apart
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Meaning:
Disturb or upset greatly
Example:
People were TORN APART when news of the train crash came through.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear at
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Meaning:
Pull or try to pull something to pieces
Example:
The fighters TORE AT each other.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Tear away
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Meaning:
Stop someone doing something unwillingly
Example:
I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Tear away
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Meaning:
Remove a surface violently
Example:
The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear down
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Meaning:
Demolish
Example:
The estate was TORN DOWN so that they could develop the land into luxury flats.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear into
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Meaning:
Criticise strongly or angrily
Example:
She TORE INTO me for losing it.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Tear off
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Meaning:
Remove part of a form or letter using your hands, not scissors
Example:
She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of the form and sent it with her cheque.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear off
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Meaning:
Leave at high speed
Example:
The police TORE OFF in their car after arresting her.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
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Tear off
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Meaning:
Remove with force
Example:
The storm TORE the roof OFF.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear off
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Meaning:
Remove completely
Example:
She TORE OFF the ticket, leaving only the stub.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear out
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Meaning:
Depart rapidly
Example:
The sheriff TORE OUT after the escaping criminals.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
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Tear up
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Meaning:
Rip into pieces
Example:
He TORE the fax UP and threw the bits of paper in the bin.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear up
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Meaning:
Destroy
Example:
They are TEARING UP the old part of town to build a new shopping centre.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Tear up
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Meaning:
Have eyes fill with tears
Example:
After hearing the tragic news he TEARED UP and could hardly speak.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive