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tear apart

phrasal verb

Definition of tear apart

1 : to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
  • I couldn't open the box nicely, so I just tore it apart.
—often used figuratively
  • The robbers tore apart the house looking for the money.
  • We tore the other team apart in yesterday's game.
  • We can't agree, and it's tearing our family apart.
2 : to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.
  • The article tears apart the company's handling of the situation.
  • They tore him apart when he left.

Word by Word Definitions

tear play

  1. : to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend

  2. : to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force : lacerate

  3. : to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces

  1. : damage from being torn (see 1tear)

  2. : the act of tearing something

  3. : a hurried and violent rush : a tearing pace

  1. : a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion

  2. : a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face

  3. : an act of weeping or grieving

  1. : to fill with tears (see 3tear) : shed tears

See the full definition of tear
apart play

  1. : at a little distance

  2. : away from one another in space or time

  3. : as a separate unit : independently

  1. : separate, isolated

  2. : holding different opinions : divided

See the full definition of apart

Learn More about tear apart

  1. Nglish: Translation of tear apart for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tear apart for Arabic speakers

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