tear down

Friendly

Sure! Let's break down the phrase "tear down."

Definition:

"Tear down" is a phrasal verb that means to destroy or take apart something, especially a building or structure, so that it is no longer standing. It can also mean to criticize someone or something strongly.

Usage Instructions:

• As a verb: You can use "tear down" when talking about demolishing buildings or when discussing strong criticism.

Examples:

1. Building context: "They decided to tear down the old library to build a new community center."
2. Criticism context: "The critics really tore down the movie for its poor acting."

Advanced Usage:

• You might also encounter "tear down" in a metaphorical sense, like when someone "tears down" someone's confidence or reputation.

Word Variants:

• Tear (verb): The base form means to pull or rip something apart.
• Torn (past participle): The state of being ripped or damaged.
• Tearing (present participle): The act of ripping or pulling apart.

Different Meanings:

• Literal: Destroying a physical structure.
• Figurative: Critically dismantling someone's argument or point of view.

Synonyms:

• Demolish: To completely destroy a building.
• Destroy: To put an end to the existence of something.
• Criticize: To express disapproval of someone or something.

Idioms:

• There isn't a specific idiom using "tear down," but you might hear phrases like "tear someone apart," which means to criticize them harshly.

Related Phrasal Verbs:

• Tear apart: To destroy something into pieces or to criticize very harshly.
• Tear up: To rip something into pieces; can also mean to become emotional.

Academic

Verb

1. tear down so as to make flat with the ground
   • The building was levelled

Synonyms

• level
• raze
• rase
• dismantle
• take down
• pull down