tear off
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To remove something by pulling or ripping it violently and with force, often causing damage or separation from a larger object.
- To depart or leave a place very quickly and abruptly.
Usage
- The primary meaning involves a forceful, often destructive, act of removal.
- The secondary meaning of a rapid departure is informal.
Examples
- Primary Meaning (Forceful Removal):
- The storm tore off several roof tiles.
- He angrily tore off the price tag from the gift.
- Secondary Meaning (Rapid Departure):
- I have to tear off to my next meeting.
- She tore off down the street after hearing the news.
Advanced Usage
- "to tear off a strip (from someone)" (UK, informal): To reprimand or criticize someone severely.
- The manager tore off a strip from the team for their poor performance.
Variants and Related Words
- Tearaway (n, chiefly UK): A person who behaves in a wild or reckless manner.
- Tear (v): The base verb meaning to pull apart or into pieces by force.
Synonyms
- Rip off: To remove by tearing.
- Wrench off: To pull or twist off violently.
- Dash off: To leave quickly (for the secondary meaning).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Tear into: To criticize someone or something harshly; or to begin doing something with great energy.
- He tore into the report as soon as he received it.
- Tear apart: To destroy something by tearing it into pieces; to cause severe emotional distress.
- The scandal tore the family apart.
- Tear up: To rip something into pieces.
- She tore up the letter and threw it away.
Related Idioms
- Tear someone off a strip: (See 'Advanced Usage' above).
- Tear up the rulebook: To reject or ignore the usual rules or conventions.
- The innovative company tore up the rulebook for the industry.
Verb
- rip off violently and forcefully
- The passing bus tore off her side mirror