Phrasal Verbs With 'Tear'

Tear apart phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Disturb or upset greatly
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: People were TORN APART when news of the train crash came through.

Tear at phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Pull or try to pull something to pieces
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The fighters TORE AT each other.

Tear away phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Stop someone doing something unwillingly
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.
  2. Meaning: Remove a surface violently
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.

Tear down phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Demolish
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The estate was TORN DOWN so that they could develop the land into luxury flats.

Tear into phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Criticise strongly or angrily
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: She TORE INTO me for losing it.

Tear off phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Remove part of a form or letter using your hands, not scissors
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of the form and sent it with her cheque.
  2. Meaning: Leave at high speed
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The police TORE OFF in their car after arresting her.
  3. Meaning: Remove with force
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The storm TORE the roof OFF.
  4. Meaning: Remove completely
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: She TORE OFF the ticket, leaving only the stub.

Tear out phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Depart rapidly
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The sheriff TORE OUT after the escaping criminals.

Tear up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Rip into pieces
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: He TORE the fax UP and threw the bits of paper in the bin.
  2. Meaning: Destroy
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They are TEARING UP the old part of town to build a new shopping centre.
  3. Meaning: Have eyes fill with tears
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: After hearing the tragic news he TEARED UP and could hardly speak.

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