phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

tear up

to rip into pieces

What it means

To rip something, usually paper or fabric, into small pieces. It can also mean to start to cry or get tears in your eyes, which is a more emotional, figurative use.

Examples

  • She angrily tore up the letter before her sister could read it.
  • He tore up the contract right in front of his old boss.
  • I always tear up at the end of that film, no matter how often I watch it.
  • Please tear up any old bank statements before throwing them out.

Where it comes from

Separable: 'tear it up' or 'tear up the paper'. The crying sense ('tear up') is common in American English and now widespread globally through media.

Related phrasal verbs

#break down#throw away#let down#throw up

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