rip up
A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To tear something into little pieces, or to completely ignore a rule or agreement as if it doesn't exist.
Literal meaning: To rip something so it ends up in pieces — tearing it upward/all over.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To tear something into many small pieces.
"In a fit of anger, she ripped up his letter without reading it."
Grammar: separable
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."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
letter contract rulebook paper agreement ticket
Forms
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
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