1 A2 neutral
To remove a page, section, or piece by ripping it out from a book, magazine, or notebook.
"She tore out the recipe page and stuck it on the fridge."
separable
tear out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove something by tearing it out from where it is contained or bound.
In plain English
To rip something out — like taking a page out of a notebook by ripping it.
What does "tear out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To remove something from a fixed position with force.
"The storm tore out several large trees by their roots."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
In the phrase 'tear your hair out': to be extremely frustrated or anxious.
"I've been tearing my hair out trying to get this spreadsheet to work."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rip something so that it comes out of the place where it is held or bound.
Actually means
To rip something out — like taking a page out of a notebook by ripping it.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday situations — tearing pages from notebooks, coupons from magazines. Also used figuratively in emotional contexts (e.g. 'tearing your hair out').
Words that pair with "tear out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
page coupon article hair heart root
How to conjugate "tear out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tear out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tears out
he/she/it
Past simple
tore out
yesterday
Past participle
torn out
have + pp
-ing form
tearing out
continuous
Hear "tear out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tear out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "tear out"
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Keep exploring
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