1 A2 neutral
To tear something into many small pieces.
"In a fit of anger, she ripped up his letter without reading it."
separable
rip up
A2 neutral separable transitive
To tear something into small pieces, or to cancel or disregard an agreement, rule, or document.
In plain English
To tear something into little pieces, or to completely ignore a rule or agreement as if it doesn't exist.
What does "rip up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To reject or disregard an agreement, rule, or established system completely.
"The new government threatened to rip up the trade deal signed by its predecessor."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rip something so it ends up in pieces — tearing it upward/all over.
Actually means
To tear something into little pieces, or to completely ignore a rule or agreement as if it doesn't exist.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. The figurative sense ('rip up the rulebook') is frequently used in politics and business journalism to mean disregarding established rules or agreements.
Words that pair with "rip up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
letter contract rulebook paper agreement ticket
How to conjugate "rip up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rip up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rips up
he/she/it
Past simple
riped up
yesterday
Past participle
riped up
have + pp
-ing form
riping up
continuous
Hear "rip up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rip up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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