rip apart
To tear something into lots of pieces, or to say very mean things about something, or to destroy something completely.
Meanings
To tear something forcefully into pieces.
"The dog got into the rubbish bin and ripped the bags apart."
To criticise something or someone very harshly and thoroughly.
"The critics ripped the film apart, calling it a waste of two hours."
To destroy something — a relationship, community, or family — through conflict or grief.
"The custody dispute ripped the family apart."
"War rips societies apart."
— Widely used journalistic formulation; attested across major newspapers (e.g. The Guardian, BBC News)
Used both literally (tearing a physical object) and figuratively (harsh criticism, emotional destruction). The figurative uses are very common in informal speech and writing.
Commonly used with
Forms
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