tear up

USAGE SUMMARY

"tear up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express physical or emotional distress. For example, "She started to tear up when she heard the sad news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— tear up the planks!

The New Yorker

Then tear up the town.

The New York Times

We didn't tear up anything".

Independent

But I suddenly tear up.

The New York Times - Health

The owner's eyes tear up.

The New Yorker

Second, tear up the tax code.

The Economist

"You let him tear up that check?

The New Yorker

(He starts to tear up).

The New York Times

You might even tear up.

The New York Times - Arts

They "tear up" red tape.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suddenly my eyes tear up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an emotional response, be mindful of the register. "Tear up" is less formal; for professional writing, consider "become tearful".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying whether "tear up" refers to a physical action (ripping something) or an emotional state (becoming tearful). For instance, instead of just saying "I saw him tear up", clarify with "I saw him tear up the letter" or "I saw him tear up from sadness."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tear up" is that of a phrasal verb. It can act transitively when referring to physically tearing something, or intransitively when describing the act of becoming tearful, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tear up" functions as a phrasal verb with dual meanings: physically destroying something and becoming tearful. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure context clarifies the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "rip apart" or "begin to cry" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be careful when referring to the past, use tore and not teared. As Ludwig's data shows, the phrase is versatile and frequently used in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rip apart

Focuses more on the violent separation into pieces.

shred to pieces

Emphasizes the reduction to small, fragmented parts.

mince up

Implies a more deliberate and thorough fragmentation.

crumple up

Suggests crushing into a small, often irregular shape rather than tearing.

begin to cry

Specifically refers to the emotional response of starting to weep.

start to weep

A more formal way of saying 'begin to cry'.

cancel the agreement

Used when "tear up" refers to invalidating a document or agreement.

nullify the contract

More formal version of canceling an agreement

devastate completely

Emphasizes total destruction or overwhelming success, in some contexts.

dominate decisively

Emphasizes achieving a significant victory in competition.

FAQs

How can I use "tear up" in a sentence?

You can use "tear up" to describe physically ripping something apart, as in "He decided to "rip up" the document". Alternatively, it can describe the act of becoming tearful, as in "She began to "cry" when she heard the news".

What does it mean to "tear up" a contract?

To "tear up" a contract means to invalidate or "cancel the agreement", essentially rendering it no longer legally binding. This implies a deliberate decision to end the contract's terms.

Is it correct to say "teared up"?

While "tear up" is the correct phrasal verb, "teared up" is not standard. The correct past tense is "tore up".

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

"Tear up" and ""rip up"" are very similar in meaning when referring to physically tearing something. "Rip up" might suggest a more forceful or violent action, but they are often interchangeable.