1 B1 neutral
To remove something by ripping it away from where it is fixed.
"She carefully tore away the wrapping paper to reveal the gift inside."
separable
tear away
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To remove something by tearing, or to force yourself or someone else to leave a place or activity reluctantly.
In plain English
To rip something off, or to make yourself stop doing something you really don't want to stop.
What does "tear away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To force yourself or someone else to leave a place or stop an activity, even though you don't want to.
"The kids were so absorbed in the game that we couldn't tear them away for dinner."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rip something away from the surface it is attached to.
Actually means
To rip something off, or to make yourself stop doing something you really don't want to stop.
Usage tip
Frequently used reflexively: 'I couldn't tear myself away.' Also used for physically removing something by tearing. The reflexive emotional sense is very idiomatic and common.
Words that pair with "tear away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
screen television book game label poster
How to conjugate "tear away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tear away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tears away
he/she/it
Past simple
tore away
yesterday
Past participle
torn away
have + pp
-ing form
tearing away
continuous
Hear "tear away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tear away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "tear away"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.