english
1
general::
noun
water from eye:
A tear ran down her cheek.
verb
rip:
The paper will tear if you're careless.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with TEAR, Also see RIP (TEAR) INTO; WEAR AND TEAR. Also see under TEARS; TORN.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
tear sth down
[ M ]
to intentionally destroy a building or other structure because it is not being used or it is not wanted any more
• They're going to tear down the old hospital and build a new one., tear sth off
[ M ]
to remove your clothes quickly and carelessly
• I tore my sweaty clothes off and jumped into the shower., tear sb away
to make someone stop doing something that they enjoy, usually because they have to go somewhere or do something else
• I'll bring Tim, if I can tear him away from the football.
• [ R ]: You could come to the party with us. That's if you can tear your self away from that new boyfriend of yours!, tear sth apart
[ M ] DESTROY
3. to destroy a building or room
• The blast had torn the building apart., tear sth up
[ M ] PAPER
1. to tear paper into a lot of small pieces
• He tore the letter up and threw it away., tear sth apart
[ M ] PULL VIOLENTLY
1. to pull something so violently that it breaks into two or more pieces
• A dog can tear a rabbit apart in seconds., tear into sb
informal
to criticize someone or something very strongly
• Unfortunately, if he doesn't agree with you, he tends to tear into you., tear sth apart
[ M ] DIVIDE PEOPLE
2. to make a group of people that was united, such as a country, family or political party, argue or fight with each other by dividing it into two or more parts
• Ethnic rivalries threaten to tear this country apart.
• [ R ]: He resigned, depressed at the way that the party was tearing it self apart., tear sth up
[ M ] AGREEMENT
2. If you tear up an agreement, you refuse to accept it or be controlled by it any more
• She tore up the contract and walked out.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
tear
to damage paper or cloth by pulling it too hard, or letting it touch something sharp:
• She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper. • I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.
rip
to tear something quickly or violently:
• Beth excitedly ripped open the package. • Stop pulling my dress! You’ll rip it!
split
to tear your trousers or shirt when you put them on, because they are too tight for you:
• He bent down and split his trousers. • Oh no, now I’ve split my shirt.
ladder
British English if a woman ladders her tights or stockings , she tears them so that a long thin line appears in them:
• Damn! I’ve laddered my tights!
snag
to catch a piece of clothing on something rough or sharp so that it tears slightly:
• I snagged my shirt on a nail.
shred
to deliberately destroy letters, documents etc by cutting them into thin pieces, often by using a special machine:
• In order to prevent fraud, it’s best to shred your bank statements. • I went through all my papers shredding things I didn’t need.
frayed
torn a little along the edges – used about clothes, carpets etc that have been used a lot:
• He was wearing an old pair of frayed jeans. • The rug was a little frayed around the edges. • The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.
Longman-Thesaurus
5
general::
tear
phrases
be in tears
(= be crying )
• When Evelyn put the phone down, she was in tears.
be in floods of tears
British English (= be crying a lot )
• By the time she left, she was in floods of tears.
be close to/on the verge of tears
(= be almost crying )
• He could see that May was close to tears.
there are tears in sb’s eyes
• As she watched, there were tears of joy in her eyes.
tears of joy/frustration/rage etc
• The tears he shed were tears of joy.
verbs
burst into tears
(= suddenly start crying )
• She burst into tears and begged me to stay.
break down in tears
(= suddenly start crying )
• I broke down in tears when I read the letter.
be moved to tears
(= be so upset that you cry )
• Members of the audience were moved to tears by her singing.
bring tears to sb’s eyes
(= make somebody cry )
• This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
reduce somebody to tears
(= make somebody cry )
• His insults had reduced her to tears, but she had not changed her mind.
hold back the tears
(= not cry even though you feel like crying )
• She gave her version of events, often struggling to hold back the tears.
fight/choke/blink back tears
(= try not to cry )
• She fought back tears yesterday as she re-lived the horrors she had seen.
shed/weep tears
(= cry )
• Don’t shed any tears for him.
sb’s eyes fill with tears
• His eyes filled with tears as he recalled his mother’s sacrifices.
tears well up in sb’s eyes
(= tears come into their eyes )
• She broke off, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.
tears run/roll/stream down sb’s face
• Oliver laughed until tears ran down his face.
adjectives
bitter tears
• She wept bitter tears of remorse for leaving her children behind.
tear 2
phrases
tear a hole in something
• She caught her shawl on a nail and tore a hole in it.
tear something open
• She tore open the envelope.
tear something to pieces/shreds
• The dogs tore the meat to pieces.
tear something in two
( also tear something in half )
• Jack snatched the letter from him and tore it in two.
transnet.ir