1 B2 idiomatic slang
To perform brilliantly and with great energy, especially in music, sport, or dance.
"The band absolutely tore it up at the festival — everyone was on their feet."
tear it up
B2 slang intransitive
To perform, behave, or compete with outstanding energy and brilliance, especially in an informal context.
In plain English
To do something really amazingly — like dancing, playing music, or playing sport better than everyone else.
What does "tear it up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To behave in a wild, uninhibited, or rebellious way.
"Back in his twenties, he was tearing it up at every party in the city."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically rip 'it' (some object) to pieces — but idiomatically, the object 'it' is abstract.
Actually means
To do something really amazingly — like dancing, playing music, or playing sport better than everyone else.
Usage tip
Primarily used in informal and entertainment contexts — sports, music, dance. Common in American English. 'It' is fixed in this expression and refers to the activity at hand, not a specific object.
Words that pair with "tear it up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
dance floor court stage field game
How to conjugate "tear it up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tear it up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tears it up
he/she/it
Past simple
tore it up
yesterday
Past participle
torn it up
have + pp
-ing form
tearing it up
continuous
Hear "tear it up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "tear it up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
crush it dominate kill it light it up nail it slay
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