tear off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Remove forcefully by tearing
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“He tore off the wrapping paper.”
“She tore off the old poster from the wall.”
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“He tore off the wrapping paper.” What does it mean?
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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
tear up
A contrast learners often mix up
Rip into pieces
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: separation
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
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