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tear-away
tear-away adj. and n.
Brit. 
/ˈtɛːrəweɪ/
, /ˈtɛːrəweɪ/U.S. /ˈtɛrəˌweɪ/
(a) adj. characterized by impetuous speed, tearing (cf. tear v.1 9); (b) n. one who or that which ‘tears’ or rushes away, or acts with great impetuosity; now usually (written tearaway), an unruly young person, a hooligan, ruffian, or petty criminal (formerly applied spec. to a kind of thief: see quot. 1938)./ˈtɛrəˌweɪ/ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > violently or forcefully
tear-away1833
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > [noun] > by snatching > specific
silk snatcher1785
bag-snatcher1908
tear-away1938
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > disorder or riot > [noun] > action or behaviour of gangs of hooligans > member of gang of hooligans
whitecap1607
shrove-prentice1638
Mohock?1711
sweater1712
highbinder1806
hoodlum1871
hooligan1898
hood1930
skolly1934
tear-away1938
gunsel1942
Teddy boy1954
hell's angel1956
angel1965
bikie1967
skinhead1969
bovver boy1970
boot-boy1977
casual1980
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > [noun] > unruly person
flight-head1605
unruly1611
wild-blood1820
tear-away1958
1833 T. Hook Parson's Daughter III. vii. 182 To mount a great tear-away chestnut horse.
1891 N. Gould Double Event 67 The tearaway [a horse] of that morning..had suddenly developed into a mild, affectionate creature.
1901 S. F. Bullock Irish Past. iv. 100 Now that lassie's a tear-away.
1903 Windsor Mag. Sept. 394/2 The substitutes also were tear-away bowlers, but they were not so fast as the first pair.
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad i. 15 A type of crime which has almost died out now was that carried out by thieves known as ‘Tearaways’ who used to hang about outside the theatres after the show and snatch costly brooches from women's dress fronts.
1950 Observer 2 Apr. 7/3 He..boasted of being a proper ‘tearaway’ (one who sticks at nothing).
1958 Punch 19 Feb. 263/2 You get some proper tearaways (quarrelsome fellows) at the dogs.
1962 Observer 18 Feb. 21/3 My grandfather was a pickpocket, my six uncles were all villains and tearaways, my brothers and friends were thieves.
1978 L. Davidson Chelsea Murders xxiii. 140 He had a bit of form..in younger days a tearaway, the odd charge of violence.
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