tear up
The phrase "tear up" can describe physical destruction, emotional response, or rejection of agreements.
Definition
B1General
(common)To rip something into small pieces.
Example
- She decided to tear up the letter after reading it.
C1Legal
(formal)To cancel or annul an agreement or contract.
Example
- The company decided to tear up the old contract and draft a new one.
B2Emotional
(common)To start shedding tears due to strong emotion.
Example
- He began to tear up when he saw the touching video.
C2Slang
(informal, slang)To brutally assault someone.
Example
- The gang threatened to tear him up if he didn't comply.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "tear up":
tear it uprip uptear aparttore uptear atrip intotear offrip outrip to shredstear awaytear downtear alongchew upcut upon a tearfall apartgo to piecesto piecescome apartcrack upblow apartin tatterscut to piecespick apartmist upbreak uprough uplet ripbreak downbreak apartmess upburn uprumple upbeat upcrumple uptake apartruffle upsplit upchop upcome undonehack upchurn upbust upblow upbeat up onshed a tearcarve upto bitscracked upfuck it upeat uprake upkick up dustfall to piecesmuck upmuss upburst updust uprun riotchoke uprend one's garments