| Phrasal verb | Main meaning |
|---|---|
tear apart [teə əˈpɑːt] | to rip or pull something into pieces |
Other meanings
- to destroy or severely damage (figurative)
- to criticize someone very harshly
- to upset someone emotionally; to break someone’s spirit
- to search a place thoroughly (by overturning things)
Example Sentences Using the Phrasal Verb "tear apart"
- He tore the old shirt apart to use the fabric for cleaning.
- The critics tore the play apart in their reviews.
- The storm tore the roof apart, leaving the house exposed.
- Her husband's betrayal tore her apart emotionally.
- They tore the room apart looking for the missing keys.
Features of Using "tear apart"
- Pronouns must come between verb and particle: tear it apart.
- Common passive: be torn apart (e.g., The family was torn apart by the news).
- For criticism: tear someone/something apart = to attack verbally/critically.
- Synonyms (depending on sense): rip apart, tear to pieces, destroy, devastate.
- Collocations: tear apart a letter/cloth/roof/room/life/reputation.
- Register: neutral to informal; figurative uses are common in spoken and written English.
🔗 Learn more about the irregular verb tear, including its forms and usage.