rip out

USAGE SUMMARY

"rip out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as an informal way of saying "pull out with force" or "remove forcefully". Example sentence: "He ripped out the rotten tooth despite the pain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"You can rip out radiators?

The New York Times

And they didn't rip out everything.

The New York Times

I never rip out a page.

The New York Times - Magazine

A multitude of Bruces could, I suppose, rip out Iranian nuclear installations, but they would rip out American military bases, too.

The New Yorker

It's not as if we had destroyed anything: We didn't rip out any pages.

The New York Times

The rational thing to do would be to rip out the plumbing and start again.

The Economist

"I didn't want to rip out a brand-new kitchen or bathroom," she said.

The New York Times

We would rip out pages, re-edit them, and send it off to the printer".

The New Yorker

They commandeered construction equipment to rip out the planks and dig a trench.

The New York Times

"You don't have to rip out everything to make it new," Dara said.

The New York Times

"He said the dog had been trying to rip out my throat".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a destructive or forceful action, "rip out" is a suitable choice. Use it to convey a sense of immediacy and impact.

Common error

While "rip out" is widely understood, it may be too informal for academic or business writing. In such cases, consider more neutral alternatives like "remove" or "extract".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "rip out" primarily functions as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating an action of forceful removal. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is widely understood and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rip out" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrasal verb used to describe forceful removal. As affirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to depict a physical action involving force. While versatile, it tends to lean toward neutral to informal registers, making it more appropriate for news, general discussions, and less so for formal or scientific writing. Given its common presence in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and WikiHow, it's safe to say that "rip out" is a readily understood and accepted term across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tear out

Similar in meaning, but can also imply a less controlled or more destructive action.

yank out

Implies a sudden and forceful pulling action.

extract

More formal, suggesting a careful and deliberate removal.

remove forcefully

A more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

detach violently

Emphasizes the violent separation of something.

dislodge

Suggests freeing something that is stuck or embedded.

uproot

Often used in the context of plants or deeply embedded objects.

pluck out

Implies a quick and precise removal, often of something small.

wrestle free

Suggests a struggle to remove something.

pry loose

Indicates using leverage to detach something.

FAQs

How can I use "rip out" in a sentence?

You can use "rip out" to describe the forceful removal of something, such as "He had to rip out the old floorboards before installing the new ones".

What are some alternatives to "rip out"?

Some alternatives to "rip out" include "tear out", "yank out", or "extract", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rip out" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "rip out" might be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "remove" or "extract" in those settings.

What's the difference between "rip out" and "tear out"?

"Rip out" and "tear out" are very similar, but "rip out" might imply a slightly more violent or forceful action, while "tear out" can also suggest a less controlled or more destructive action.