1 B1 neutral
To remove something from a fixed position by tearing or pulling forcefully.
"The storm ripped out several trees by their roots."
separable
rip out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove something from its place by tearing or pulling with great force.
In plain English
To pull something out of where it is fixed, quickly and roughly.
What does "rip out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To remove a page or section from a book, magazine, or notebook by tearing.
"She ripped out the recipe page and stuck it on the fridge."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) to cause intense emotional pain, as if physically tearing something from inside.
"Watching him leave for the last time ripped out her heart."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rip (tear) something so it comes out of where it was — forceful extraction.
Actually means
To pull something out of where it is fixed, quickly and roughly.
Usage tip
Used both for physical actions (removing fixtures, pages) and figurative expressions of strong emotion (e.g. 'it ripped out my heart'). The figurative use is common in dramatic or emotional contexts.
Words that pair with "rip out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
page heart engine cables seats roots
How to conjugate "rip out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rip out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rips out
he/she/it
Past simple
riped out
yesterday
Past participle
riped out
have + pp
-ing form
riping out
continuous
Hear "rip out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rip out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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