tear apart
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle apart
Meanings
Cause great unhappiness, especially in a group
Why “apart”? A plan or relationship can collapse. A group can be divided, and a person can lose emotional control.
“The scandal tore the family apart.”
“The court case tore the small town apart.”
“Seeing the injured dog tore Maya apart.”
Pull something so hard that it breaks into pieces
Why “apart”? A whole separates into pieces, or people become more distant from each other.
“The dog tore the cushion apart.”
“She tore the old box apart for recycling.”
Criticise someone or something very severely
Why “apart”? A person's work or idea is examined piece by piece and criticised very harshly.
“The reviewers tore the film apart.”
“The manager tore the weak report apart.”
Don't confuse with
Tear apart means cause great unhappiness, especially in a group. Tear away means make someone leave with great difficulty.
Test yourself
“The scandal tore the family apart.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
tear away
A contrast learners often mix up
Make someone leave with great difficulty
come apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into pieces or stop holding together
drift apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Of two or more people, slowly become less close to each other
fall apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into separate pieces because something is broken; Become unable to cope emotionally; (of a relationship, plan or system) Collapse
grow apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Gradually become less interested in each other
pull apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Separate two people or things by force
take apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Disassemble completely; Criticise harshly
tear down
Same base verb: tear
Demolish or dismantle
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