tear apart
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tear, apart.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
She tore her ex-boyfriend’s clothes apart in fury.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To destroy.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To cause to separate suddenly or violently.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “tear apart” mean?
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tear, apart.
Is “tear apart” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.