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general::
Phrase(s): tear someone up
Fig. to cause someone much grief. (See also tear someone apart.) • The news of Tom’s death really tore Bill up. • Bad news tears up some people. Other people can take it calmly., Phrase(s): tear something up
to rip someone or something to pieces. • The two drunks tore the bar up in their brawling. • The dog tore up the newspaper.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs