tear off

B1 neutral separable both

In simple words

To rip something off of something else, or to rush off somewhere really fast.

Literal meaning: To rip something so that it separates from what it was attached to.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

very common

To remove something by tearing it from the surface or object it is attached to.

"He tore off the price tag before giving her the present."

Grammar: separable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To leave or move somewhere very quickly.

"As soon as the bell rang, he tore off down the corridor."

Usage notes

The physical sense is very common and transparent. The sense of rushing off quickly ('he tore off down the road') is informal and mostly British.

label wrapper coupon strip ticket corner

Base

tear off

I/you/we/they

3rd person

tears off

he/she/it

Past simple

tore off

yesterday

Past participle

torn off

have + pp

-ing form

tearing off

continuous

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