tear1 nountear2 verbtear3 nountear4 verb
teartear1 /tɪə $ tɪr/ ●●● S2 W3 noun 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- tear-stained cheeks
- How did you get that tear in your jacket?
- Is that a tear on your face?
- There's a small tear near the corner of the painting.
- He had had visions, striding back to Bedford Square, of proper love-making, of tenderness, perhaps some tears.
- His parents' faces turn ashen when they first see him, then they smile through their tears.
- I remember it as if I were still standing there, streaked with blood and dust and tears, talking to her.
- I snarled, Josefina added terror to her tears and somehow we got through.
- Its last 15 minutes had me right where the filmmakers wanted me, which was in tears.
- This time was no different and my master left Syon with the tears streaming down his face.
Longman Language Activatorto damage paper, cloth, or clothing
to damage paper, cloth, or clothing by pulling it too hard, or by letting it touch something sharp: · She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.tear something on something: · I had torn the knees of my jeans on the rough gravel.tear something out/tear out something: · She tore a page out of her diary and wrote her phone number on it.tear something off/tear off something: · The attendant tore off the parking ticket and handed it back.tear something open/tear open something: · Peterson tore open the envelope.tear a hole in something: · I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.tear something in half: · He took my ticket and tore it in half. "Row J, seats 8 and 9."
to tear something quickly or violently: · Stop pulling my dress! You'll rip it!rip something out/rip out something: · You can see where the label has been ripped out.rip something on something: · I ripped my skirt on a broken chair.rip something open/rip open something: · Beth excitedly ripped open the package.
British if a woman ladders her tights or stockings, she accidentally tears them so that a line of stitches becomes loose: · Damn! I've laddered my tights!
if you split your trousers, a long straight tear appears in them when you bend over or when you try to put on a pair that is too tight: · He bent down and split his trousers.
to deliberately destroy something by tearing it into pieces to tear a piece of paper or cloth into many pieces: tear up something: · After Alan left, she tore up all his old letters.tear something up: · Pamela tore the note up and threw it in the wastebasket.
to tear something into pieces quickly or angrily: rip up something: · Martine ripped up her essay and started again.rip something up: · He'd get frustrated and throw his pencil down and rip his paper up.
to deliberately destroy letters, secret documents etc by putting them through a special machine which cuts them into long thin pieces: · The superintendent gave his secretary some letters to shred.· Some photographs and important documents -- the only evidence available -- had been shredded.
to tear a piece of paper into very small pieces, especially because you are angry: · Karen tore his photograph to shreds.· He tore out the page and ripped it to shreds.
to become torn accidentally · My jacket caught on a nail and tore.· Don't pull on the cloth, it will tear.tear easily · Be careful, the paper tears easily.
to become badly torn, especially as the result of a sudden movement: · Tom heard his shorts rip as he climbed over the gate.· My zipper was stuck, and the material around it ripped as I pulled on it.
if material splits , a long straight tear appears in it: · Hudson's coat had split right up the back.· These shoes are so old the canvas had split.
when something has been torn when something made of cloth or paper has been torn: · He was wearing torn trousers and a ragged jacket.· The pages of the book were torn and faded.get torn: · If the cover of a book gets torn, the library sends it to be repaired.
if a piece of cloth or paper is in shreds , it has been torn and damaged so much that it has almost fallen apart: · The curtains hung in shreds and the carpet was worn thin.· The clothes were handed down in the family, and by the time they reached the last child, they were in shreds.
clothes or things made of cloth that are frayed are torn a little along the edges, usually because they have been used a lot: · He had on frayed jeans and an old white shirt.frayed at the cuffs/collar/edges etc: · The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.
cloth, paper, or a piece of clothing that is tattered is torn in many places, especially because it has been used a lot: · A man in tattered blue dungarees was busy in the garage.· The old diary was yellowed and tattered.
clothes or things made of cloth that are ragged are torn and untidy, often because the people who own them are very poor: · The blanket she wore over her shoulders was ragged and filthy.· A man in ragged clothes was begging on the corner.
a hole that is made when something is torn · How did you get that tear in your jacket ?· There's a small tear near the corner of the painting.
a long hole that is made when something such as a piece of clothing is torn: · The rips in the boat's old sails had been patched again and again.· A rip in a repair worker's protective suit increases the risk of getting a shock as they work on the electricity lines.
British /run especially American a line of torn stitches in a pair of tights etc: · There's a run in these pantyhose.get a ladder/run: · I got a ladder in my tights.
to cry if you cry , tears come from your eyes, for example because you are sad or upset, or because you have hurt yourself: · I could hear the baby crying in the next room.· Kim's eyes were red and she looked as though she'd been crying.· Don't cry, I didn't mean to upset you.cry about: · Jenny won't tell me what she's crying about.make somebody cry: · The film was so sad, it made me cry.cry and cry (=cry for a long time): · I sat alone in my room and cried and cried.cry your eyes out (=cry a lot because you are very upset): · The poor kid's so miserable, he's upstairs crying his eyes out.cry with happiness/joy/relief etc: · She cried with joy when she heard that the children were safe.cry yourself to sleep (=cry until you fall asleep): · At night I'd cry myself to sleep, thinking about you.
especially written to cry quietly and for a long time because you are very sad or you feel a strong emotion: · She sat beside her dying father and wept.weep openly (=without trying to stop or hide it): · Thousands of French citizens, many weeping openly, bade a silent farewell to Mitterand.weep with emotion/grief/joy etc: · I remember weeping with pride when my first son was born.weep bitterly (=cry strongly): · His mother wept bitterly and his father sat grim-faced.
if you sob , you cry noisily and your body shakes, because you are very sad or because someone has upset you: · The sound of her sobbing kept them awake all night.· "Please don't leave me," he sobbed.· The child covered her face with her hands and started to sob uncontrollably.
to cry loudly - use this especially about young children or people you do not have any sympathy for: · "Stop, bawling," Dad said crossly, "and come over here."· The baby was sitting in his high chair, red in the face and bawling.
to cry in a weak, complaining way and at the same time breathe in air noisily through your nose: · "What are you snivelling about, Jake?'· She kept sniffling into her handkerchief and saying how unfair everything was.
to make a quiet, continuous, unhappy sound like an animal in pain, or to say something with this sound in your voice: · 'I'm sorry,' she whimpered, but Richard wasn't listening.whimper with: · Pat whimpered with the pain of the bullet wound in his shoulder.
crying because someone has upset you, or because something is very sad: · Everyone started to laugh and Frank ran out of the room in tears.· Most of us were in tears by the time he'd finished his story.
if your eyes water , you have tears in your eyes, usually because of something such as wind or smoke going into them: · Jo's eyes were watering from the smoke that filled the room.make your eyes water: · An icy wind blew into my face, making my eyes water.
drops of water that come from your eyes when you are crying - this is often used to represent the idea of crying: · Grandpa wiped the tears from his eyes.have tears in your eyes/with tears in your eyes (=be nearly crying): · Yusuf had tears in his eyes, and I knew he was thinking of home.· She turned to me with tears in her eyes and begged me to help her.tears roll/run down somebody's cheeks (=someone cries a lot): · He stood silently, tears rolling down his cheeks, while the music played.· Mum showed us the letter with tears running down her cheeks.be close to tears (=almost crying): · Howell was close to tears as he told the court what had happened.·
to damage something by using it to damage clothes, material, or equipment by wearing them or using them a lot: wear out something: · After only a month Terry had worn out the soles of his shoes.wear something out: · If you drive as fast as this all the time, you'll wear the brakes out.get worn out: · The carpet on the stairs is getting worn out.
damage caused by continuous use over a long period: · Excessive tyre wear may be caused by faulty brakes.heavy wear (=a lot of wear): · Dalton said that the machine showed signs of heavy wear and had not been well-maintained.
the normal amount of damage that is caused to furniture, cars, pieces of equipment etc, by using them: wear and tear on: · Having a large family obviously increases the wear and tear on your furniture.normal/everyday wear and tear (=the degree of wear and tear you expect): · Allowing for normal wear and tear, a washing machine should last at least ten years.
what you say when you want to warn someone spoken say this to urgently warn someone that they will have an accident if they do not immediately try to avoid it: · "Look out!" yelled Willie. "He's got a gun!"· Look out! There's a train coming!· Watch out! You nearly hit that car.
British spoken use this to warn someone not to touch something or do something that would be dangerous or cause trouble: · Mind the table Charlotte, there are drinks on it.mind/mind out: · Mind! The plate's hot.· Mind out! There's a motorcycle!mind you don't do something: · The cat's down there - mind you don't tread on him.mind how you go (=used to warn someone to walk carefully to avoid slipping or falling): · Mind how you go. The path's a bit slippery.
use this to warn someone that what they are doing could be dangerous: · "Watch out!" yelled the driver, as the truck veered towards his car.· Watch it! You nearly knocked my head off with that ladder.
spoken use this to warn someone that what they are doing could be dangerous: · I handed Phil the heavy revolver. "Be careful, it's loaded."· Be careful, it's very hot.be careful with: · Hey! Be careful with that cigarette!be careful/take care not to do something: · Be careful not to do anything that might make him angry.
especially written used to warn people about something dangerous - usually seen on signs and official statements: · Beware. Deep water.beware of: · Beware of the dog.· Beware of falling rocks.· The police warn tourists to beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.beware of doing something: · Beware of accidentally starting the engine while you are cleaning the blades.
spoken informal use this to warn or advise someone that they should do something in order to avoid trouble: · "I suppose I ought to apologize." "Yes, you'd better, or she might make things difficult for you."you'd better do something: · You'd better tell the police in case they think it was your fault.· The train leaves in twenty minutes, so you'd better hurry up!
British spoken say this to warn someone that something they are determined to do is not sensible and will probably end badly: · Never have an affair with a work colleague - they usually end in tears.it'll (all) end in tears: · My common sense told me: "Stay away! It'll end in tears!"
WORD SETSAB, nounabdomen, nounaccommodation, nounAchilles tendon, nounAdam's apple, nounadaptation, nounadenoids, nounadrenalin, nounairway, nounambidextrous, adjectiveanatomical, adjectiveankle, nounantibody, nounantigen, nounanus, nounanvil, nounaorta, nounappendix, nounarch, nounarmpit, nounarterial, adjectiveartery, nounatrium, nounbaby tooth, nounback, nounbackbone, nounbandy, adjectivebarrel-chested, adjectivebeat, verbbelly, nounbelly button, nounbicep, nounbig toe, nounbikini line, nounbile, nounbiological clock, nounbiorhythms, nounbiped, nounbladder, nounblind spot, nounblink, verbblink, nounblood count, nounblood group, nounblood pressure, nounbloodstream, nounblood type, nounblood vessel, nounBO, nounbody clock, nounbody odour, nounbone, nounbone marrow, nounbowel, nounbow legs, nounbrain, nounbrainwave, nounbreast, nounbreastbone, nounbristly, adjectivebronchial, adjectivebronchial tube, nounbrow, nounbuck teeth, nounbullnecked, adjectiveburp, verbbust, nounbuttock, nouncanine, nouncapillary, nouncardiac, adjectivecardio-, prefixcardiovascular, adjectivecarotid artery, nouncartilage, nouncentral nervous system, nouncerebellum, nouncerebral, adjectivecervical, adjectivecervix, nounchamber, nounchange of life, nouncheek, nouncheekbone, nounchest, nounchin, nouncirculation, nounclavicle, nouncleavage, nounclitoris, nounclose-set, adjectivecoccyx, nouncochlea, nouncock, nouncollarbone, nouncolon, nouncolour, nouncolour-blind, adjectiveconception, nouncone, nounconnective tissue, nouncoordination, nouncornea, nouncortex, nouncough, verbcough, nouncowlick, nouncranium, nouncrook, verbcrotch, nouncrow's feet, nouncrutch, nouncry, verbcuticle, noundandruff, noundeep-set, adjectivedefecate, verbdefence mechanism, noundental, adjectivedentine, nounderrière, noundiaphragm, noundigit, noundigital, adjectivedimple, noundisc, noundominant, adjectivedouble-jointed, adjectivedribble, verbdrool, verbduct, nounduodenum, nounear, nouneardrum, nounearhole, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbelbow, nounenamel, nounendocrine, adjectiveentrails, nounepidermis, nounepiglottis, nounerect, adjectiveerection, nounerogenous zone, nounexcrement, nounexcreta, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexpectorate, verbextremity, nouneye, nouneyebrow, nouneyelash, nouneyelid, nouneyesight, nouneye tooth, nounface, nounfallopian tube, nounfart, verbfart, nounfemur, nounfibre, nounfibula, nounfigure, nounfingernail, nounfingertip, nounfist, nounfive o'clock shadow, nounflat-chested, adjectivefoetal position, nounfolic acid, nounfollicle, nounforearm, nounforefinger, nounforehead, nounforeskin, nounframe, nounfunny bone, noungall bladder, noungallstone, noungastric, adjectivegenital, adjectivegenitals, noungland, nounglottis, noungonad, noungrey matter, noungroin, nounG-spot, noungullet, noungum, nounhair, nounhairless, adjectivehairy, adjectivehammer, nounhamstring, nounhand, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandlebar moustache, nounhead, nounheart, nounheel, nounhiccup, nounhiccup, verbhip, nounHomo sapiens, nounhumerus, nounhymen, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nouninbred, adjectiveincisor, nounindex finger, nouninherit, verbinstep, nounintestine, nounin vitro fertilization, nouniris, nounIVF, nounjaw, nounjawbone, nounjowl, nounkidney, nounknee, nounknee cap, nounknuckle, nounlap, nounlarge intestine, nounlarynx, nounlash, nounlaugh lines, nounlaughter lines, nounleft-handed, adjectivelefty, nounlens, nounlid, nounlifeblood, nounligament, nounlip, nounlittle finger, nounliver, nounlobe, nounlong-sighted, adjectivelumbar, adjectivelung, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmammary, adjectivemammary gland, nounmanual, adjectivemarrow, nounmasticate, verbmatrix, nounmelanin, nounmelatonin, nounmember, nounmenopause, nounmenses, nounmenstrual, adjectivemenstrual period, nounmenstruate, verbmiddle ear, nounmiddle finger, nounmidget, nounmidriff, nounmilk tooth, nounmind, nounmolar, nounmucous membrane, nounmuscle, nounnail, nounnape, nounnasal, adjectivenavel, nounnervous, adjectiveneurology, nounneuron, nounniacin, nounnipple, nounnode, nounnodule, nounnostril, nounocular, adjectiveoesophagus, nounoral, adjectiveovary, nounoverbite, nounoviduct, nounpalate, nounpalm, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpancreas, nounpassage, nounpatella, nounpectorals, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenetrate, verbpepsin, nounperiod, nounperiod pain, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphallus, nounpharynx, nounphlegm, nounphysical, adjectivephysiognomy, nounphysiology, nounphysique, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepit, nounpituitary, nounplacenta, nounplasma, nounplatelet, nounpore, nounpotbelly, nounpremenstrual, adjectiveprepubescent, adjectivepressure point, nounprimal, adjectiveprivate parts, nounprognathous, adjectiveprostate, nounpuberty, nounpubescent, adjectivepubic, adjectivepudendum, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulse, nounpupil, nounquad, nounquadruplet, nounquin, nounquintuplet, nounradius, nounreceptor, nounrecessive, adjectiverectal, adjectiverectum, nounred blood cell, nounREM sleep, nounrenal, adjectiveretina, nounRhesus factor, nounRH factor, nounrib, nounrib cage, nounright, adjectiveright-handed, adjectiveright-hander, nounrigor mortis, nounring finger, nounrod, nounRoman nose, nounround-shouldered, adjectiverun, verbsalivary gland, nounsallow, adjectivescalp, nounscaly, adjectivescapula, nounsciatic, adjectivescrotum, nounsemen, nounseminal, adjectivesense, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectivesextuplet, nounshank, nounshin, nounshinbone, nounshoulder, nounshoulder blade, nounside, nounsinew, nounsinus, nounskeletal, adjectiveskull, nounsleep, verbsleep, nounsmall intestine, nounsneeze, verbsneeze, nounsnub nose, nounsnub-nosed, adjectivesoft palate, nounsolar plexus, nounsole, nounsphincter, nounspinal, adjectivespinal column, nounspine, nounspit, verbspit, nounspittle, nounspleen, nounspotty, adjectivesputum, nounsternum, nounsteroid, nounstirrup, nounstomach, nounstool, nounstubble, nounsubcutaneous, adjectivesuck, verbsuckle, verbsuckling, nounsweat gland, nounsystem, nountailbone, nountan, verbtan, nountanned, adjectivetarsus, nountartar, nountaste bud, nountear, nounteardrop, nounteat, nountemple, nountendon, nountestes, nountesticle, nountestis, nountestosterone, nounthickset, adjectivethigh, nounthorax, nounthroat, nounthumb, nounthumbnail, nounthyroid, nountibia, nounticklish, adjectivetoe, nountoenail, nountongue, nountonsil, nountooth, nountorso, nountouch, nountrachea, nountriceps, nountrunk, nountympanum, nounulna, nounumbilical cord, nounurethra, nounuterus, nounuvula, nounvagina, nounvascular, adjectivevein, nounvenous, adjectiveventricle, nounvessel, nounvestibule, nounvital, adjectivevocal cords, nounvoice box, nounvulva, nounwaist, nounwall-eyed, adjectivewax, nounwhite, nounwhite blood cell, nounwindpipe, nounwisdom tooth, nounwomb, nounwrinkle, verbwrist, nounyawn, verbyawn, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYphrases
Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears. She was struggling to keep back the tears. He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears. The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood. Jess seemed on the verge of tears. I felt tears well up in my eyes.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=be crying)· When Evelyn put the phone down, she was in tears.
British English (=be crying a lot)· By the time she left, she was in floods of tears.
(=be almost crying)· He could see that May was close to tears.
· As she watched, there were tears of joy in her eyes.
· The tears he shed were tears of joy.
verbs (=suddenly start crying)· She burst into tears and begged me to stay.
(=suddenly start crying)· I broke down in tears when I read the letter.
(=be so upset that you cry)· Members of the audience were moved to tears by her singing.
(=make someone cry)· This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
(=make someone cry)· His insults had reduced her to tears, but she had not changed her mind.
(=not cry even though you feel like crying)· She gave her version of events, often struggling to hold back the tears.
(=try not to cry)· She fought back tears yesterday as she re-lived the horrors she had seen.
(=cry)· Don’t shed any tears for him.
· His eyes filled with tears as he recalled his mother’s sacrifices.
(=tears come into their eyes)· She broke off, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.
· Oliver laughed until tears ran down his face.
adjectives· She wept bitter tears of remorse for leaving her children behind.
· I felt the hot tears running down my face.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· She grabbed the letter and ripped it to bits.
(=make them very bored)
(=extremely bored)· Rob was bored to tears trailing around the shops.
· All the medieval buildings were torn down.
Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. (=open it quickly and roughly)· My fingers trembled as I tore open the envelope.
· When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.
She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. (=a gas that stings your eyes, used by the police to control crowds)· Police using tear gas had clashed with protestors.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears.· She began to cry again, but they were tears of joy.
She was struggling to keep back the tears.· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.
He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears.· Her eyes were now full of tears of rage.
The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood.· There was an odd buzzing sound in her ears.
Jess seemed on the verge of tears.· She wept bitter tears of self-reproach.
I felt tears well up in my eyes.· In age she recollected the sensation of hot tears mixing with cold rain.· She groaned, as hot tears welled up and wetted both their faces.· Pictures of her parents, memories, flashed through her mind bringing hot scalding tears to her eyes.· A second after I gave him that answer, I felt a flood of hot, salty tears gush down my cheeks.· A sprinkling of hot tears fell on to his exploring lips.· He grimaced, as hot tears gushed from his eyes.· D'Arcy's grip tightened round her shoulders as he felt her hot tears against his skin.· Through a fog of hot tears and slick blood I heard words that at once sounded distant and entirely too close.
NOUN· You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.· That is why we should regard Labour's albeit genuine crocodile tears as extremely salty.
· Riot police ringed the building and fired tear gas at the crowd.· Charlie mixed in some tear gas with the mine.· Hundreds were hospitalized suffering from the effects of tear gas.· A tear gas canister fatally wounded one young demonstrator.· The Washington police fired tear gas at them and the gas was blown at once across the White House garden.· The Army moved in with a water cannon and tear gas, forcing the marchers into hasty retreat.· Bhutto was choked by tear gas earlier when police fired canisters directly at her open-top jeep.· On Sept. 17 reports stated that tear gas was used to halt protests at a Mandalay high school.
VERB· She needed to blink away tears.· For a moment the two strangers just stood there holding hands and blinking back their tears.· When she blinked, the tears overflowed and ran back along her cheekbones to her ears, where the swaddling absorbed them.· Touching the welt, Howard tried to blink back tears before going inside.· She blinked away a tear and nodded.· She blinked back the tears and made a fanfare out of unwrapping the gift.· Claudia opened her eyes and blinked away the tears.· I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly, and he seemed to be blinking back tears.
· He wanted to cry, but the tears froze on his face.· I cried till the tears all run down in my ears.· I remember crying sentimental tears a few years later in 1987 when I watched on television Neil Kinnock's party political broadcast.· When my sister was upset, she would cry and great piteous tears would roll from her eyes.· Sarah tried to cry and no tears would come.· Yoshimoto, however, is a legitimate storyteller, and avoids the overwrought sentiment that forces a reader to cry unwilling tears.· That night, alone in the room with the coffins, Oliver cried bitter, lonely tears.
· It was still tender from the soldier's abuse, but the pain helped her fight back incipient tears.· I find myself fighting back tears as I thank them for coming.· Desperately she fought back the tears, not knowing why they had formed so swiftly.· Shareef Abdur-Rahim fought back tears throughout his statement and parts of the question-and-answer period that followed.· Breathing deeply, fighting sudden fresh tears, she stared at the whitewashed walls of the tiny, tidy yard.· In fact, the chance to show Neely fighting back tears probably became an excuse to return to the topic.· None of it registered, because she was fighting tears that were perilously near.
· No doubt I will shed many tears today, as I do every day.· He even shed a few tears.· He shed tears the way a flower sheds petals, they fell to the ground, lay scattered round his feet.· The boys shed a lot of tears as they told police what happened, Capt.· Equally, none of them looked like they'd shed too many tears.· And you may shed a tear or two - for the sheer joy of it all.· But shed no tears for Morris.
· And I wouldn't weep tears over it, either.· Spitting icicles and weeping tears of frost, the crucified one wrenched at his adamantine bolts.· Then I began to weep, howling with tears.· Whatever the reason, she wept, heartbroken tears that were almost silent but which tore her apart.· Finally to let her mind slip free of all this chaos, turn her face to the wall and weep slow tears.· You hold the world at arms length while Your heart weeps tears but your lips smile.· There are hundreds of reports of miraculous statues of Mary weeping real tears: some are reported to weep blood.· So she fell upon his grey hairy neck, weeping bright tears.
· She wiped away a tear that had crept unnoticed on to her cheek.· He lifted his hands to wipe away the tears and saw dark brown slime.· Sandoz was, by this time, wiping tears from his eyes and making terrible whining sounds.· His laughter now was ecstatic; he wiped away tears.· She wiped away her tears and glanced around cautiously to see if anyone were staring at her.· I am in it for the side of labor that brings us all together and that wipes away every tear.· Hesitantly, Victoria stood up, wiping the tears off her cheeks with the back of her hands.· I wiped the tears away and shut down the Huey.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► blood, sweat, and tears► it’ll (all) end in tears► see something through a mist of tears
1[countable usually plural] a drop of salty liquid that comes out of your eye when you are crying: - Before their lives were torn apart, they were a happy family.
- He was torn apart as health and social security secretary and suffered demotion before resigning.
- He would be torn apart by the difference between the gravitational force on his head and his feet.
- In practice instruments could not survive such a journey; they would be torn apart by the increasing gravitational field gradients.
- Parents who objected were torn apart as heretics.
- The political structures were torn apart until the very foundations were rocked.
- The spaceship would be torn apart by infinitely strong forces.
- We have players in the league whose families, let alone countries, are torn apart by war.
- If the momentum picks up, conventional politics could be torn asunder.
- In 1964, the Republican Party was torn asunder by the nomination of conservative Barry Goldwater.
- The veils are parting, the mists are rent asunder.
- This unity was to be rent asunder by changes in technology and by the impact of the Modern Movement in architecture.
- She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.
- I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly, and he seemed to be blinking back tears.
- She needed to blink away tears.
- Touching the welt, Howard tried to blink back tears before going inside.
- His dumb loyalty brought tears to my eyes.
- Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes 20 years later.
- The pain of the short trip brought tears to my eyes.
- The thought of his wasting all that training brought tears to my eyes.
- The tune moved through her mind and body, bringing tears to her eyes.
- The very word brings tears to your eyes.
- They brought tears to her eyes, but tears of pain soon welled up from an overwhelming sense of despair.
- This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
- But far be it for us to shed crocodile tears over the bruised egos of our male counterparts.
- So much for the exiles' crocodile tears over Elian's removal.
- That is why we should regard Labour's albeit genuine crocodile tears as extremely salty.
- They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged, but are basically happy with things as they are.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- Francis and Christopher dissolved in laughter, lapped theirs up and declared it very good.
- If he mentioned moving out of her parents' house, she dissolved into tears.
- Katherine threw herself against Gary and dissolved into tears.
- The waiter bowed and retreated, Stephen and Lily dissolved into laughter.
- When at last she is alone, her sorrow overwhelms her and she dissolves in tears.
- I was in floods of tears.
- It was surprising that she did not feel embarrassed at being caught in floods of tears.
- Jane departed in floods of tears and Rosemary duly arrived, in a very bad temper.
- Anyone else would be tearing his hair out, confronted by a pack of jabbering foreigners, but does Feargal?
- I was pulling my hair out.
- It pulls at the heartstrings of every agent out there to see a young lady or anyone jeopardized by these conditions.
- That night the little creature did not stop crying and its pitiful little squeak tore at Aggie's heartstrings.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- Telling me the strangest things sometimes, evil things - till I want to shout out or smash them to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- They will tear you to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- At mealtimes, Kornemann would rail at his wife in front of the boys, reducing her to tears.
- He has in his grasp the ability to reduce anyone to tears, through a snappy headline or lurid story.
- Initially, it was the existential absurdity of his predicament that reduced Sooty to silence.
- It becomes the subject of innumerable short stories and songs, of films that reduce their audiences to tears.
- Outside in her car she kept a tight grip on herself, refusing to let her humiliation reduce her to tears.
- She would come home in tears and reduce my wife to tears.
- They might stop me having visitors if they think I reduce them to tears.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- I imagine a few tears will be shed at Monica's farewell party.
- As the train drew out our dear friends on the platform blew kisses, shed tears and waved their handkerchiefs.
- He shed tears the way a flower sheds petals, they fell to the ground, lay scattered round his feet.
- I had persevered, and I shed tears more in relief than in pain.
- Likewise, when she shed tears for her son, she did it when she was alone.
- Richard Simmons sheds tears over them.
- She wouldn't shed tears over that ... that brute.
- While women were increasingly associated with weakness and emotion, by 1860 men no longer dared embrace in public or shed tears.
- And the politicians, thank goodness, have only so much money with which to rip each other to shreds.
- Its springtime for President Bill Clinton as he watches his Republican challengers rip each other to shreds.
- Other than the chance to rip it to shreds.
- The agony of such a torment would tear her to shreds.
- They didn't have a humidifier and it's torn my voice to shreds.
- They snarled at them as if they were criminals and took their papers as if they'd like to tear them to shreds.
- They would have torn Corbett to shreds if the grille had been raised.
- Within two years, other researchers had torn it to shreds.
- Joy went crimson and tears sprang into her eyes.
- With that avowal, tears sprang to her eyes, leaving Farini nonplussed.
- The world is a vale of tears, a giant ball of dung.
- We all know what next occurred-and here we all are, in this vale of tears.
The children were all in tears. She came home in floods of tears. I could see that Sam was close to tears. Bridget suddenly burst into tears and ran out. He was fighting back tears as he spoke. A lot of people were moved to tears by his story. He kissed her cheek, a gesture that brought tears to her eyes. I must admit I shed a few tears when the school closed. I saw grown men reduced to tears that day. ‘Please don’t talk like that,’ Ellen implored him, her eyes filling with tears. By this time, tears were streaming down my face. The tears he shed were tears of joy.2it’ll (all) end in tears British English spoken used to warn someone that something they are doing will cause problems or arguments between people → bore somebody to tears at bore2(1), → crocodile tears at crocodile(4)COLLOCATIONSphrasesbe in tears (=be crying)· When Evelyn put the phone down, she was in tears.be in floods of tears British English (=be crying a lot)· By the time she left, she was in floods of tears.be close to/on the verge of tears (=be almost crying)· He could see that May was close to tears.there are tears in somebody’s eyes· As she watched, there were tears of joy in her eyes.tears of joy/frustration/rage etc· The tears he shed were tears of joy.verbsburst into tears (=suddenly start crying)· She burst into tears and begged me to stay.break down in tears (=suddenly start crying)· I broke down in tears when I read the letter.be moved to tears (=be so upset that you cry)· Members of the audience were moved to tears by her singing.bring tears to somebody’s eyes (=make someone cry)· This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.reduce somebody to tears (=make someone cry)· His insults had reduced her to tears, but she had not changed her mind.hold back the tears (=not cry even though you feel like crying)· She gave her version of events, often struggling to hold back the tears.fight/choke/blink back tears (=try not to cry)· She fought back tears yesterday as she re-lived the horrors she had seen.shed/weep tears (=cry)· Don’t shed any tears for him.somebody’s eyes fill with tears· His eyes filled with tears as he recalled his mother’s sacrifices.tears well up in somebody’s eyes (=tears come into their eyes)· She broke off, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.tears run/roll/stream down somebody’s face· Oliver laughed until tears ran down his face.adjectivesbitter tears· She wept bitter tears of remorse for leaving her children behind.hot tears· I felt the hot tears running down my face.tear1 nountear2 verbtear3 nountear4 verb
teartear2 /teə $ ter/ ●●● S2 W3 verb (past tense tore /tɔː $ tɔːr/, past participle torn /tɔːn $ tɔːrn/) WORD ORIGINtear2
Origin:
Old English teranVERB TABLE
tear
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | tear |
| he, she, it | tears | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | tore |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have torn |
| he, she, it | has torn | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had torn |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will tear |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have torn |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am tearing |
| he, she, it | is tearing | |
| you, we, they | are tearing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was tearing |
| you, we, they | were tearing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been tearing |
| he, she, it | has been tearing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been tearing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be tearing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been tearing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A masked man came tearing out of the bank and jumped into a waiting car.
- Be careful, the paper tears easily.
- Bobby tore past, shouting something about being late for work.
- Careful - the paper is very old and tears easily.
- Celia grabbed the envelope and tore it open.
- Don't tear pages out of the book.
- Don't pull on the cloth, it will tear.
- He took my ticket and tore it in half. "Row J, seats 8 and 9."
- How did you tear your pocket?
- I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.
- I tore a hole in my new blouse.
- I had torn the knees of my jeans on the rough gravel.
- Mary tore off downstairs, determined to see the visitors for herself.
- My jacket caught on a nail and tore.
- Peterson tore open the envelope.
- She tore a page out of her diary and wrote her phone number on it.
- She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.
- The attendant tore off the parking ticket and handed it back.
- Forays had been made at night; scaffolding had been torn down and a few workers employed in building Carewscourt had been killed.
- He tore the envelope open, his mind full of various pleasing conjectures.
- He walked hesitatingly forward, his skin tensed for the feeling of metal tearing flesh.
- If they start building here, it will be like tearing my heart out.
- Martell has been torn from his wife and stepchildren.
- Surely tearing up the Pope's picture was meant as a symbolic gesture, not a personal affront.
- Worthy mentors work to build you up, not tear you down.
THESAURUS
to damage paper or cloth by pulling it too hard, or letting it touch something sharp: · She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.· I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.
to tear something quickly or violently: · Beth excitedly ripped open the package.· Stop pulling my dress! You’ll rip it!
to tear your trousers or shirt when you put them on, because they are too tight for you: · He bent down and split his trousers.· Oh no, now I’ve split my shirt.
British English if a woman ladders her tights or stockings, she tears them so that a long thin line appears in them: · Damn! I’ve laddered my tights!
to catch a piece of clothing on something rough or sharp so that it tears slightly: · I snagged my shirt on a nail.
to deliberately destroy letters, documents etc by cutting them into thin pieces, often by using a special machine: · In order to prevent fraud, it’s best to shred your bank statements.· I went through all my papers shredding things I didn’t need.
torn a little along the edges – used about clothes, carpets etc that have been used a lot: · He was wearing an old pair of frayed jeans.· The rug was a little frayed around the edges.· The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.
Longman Language Activatorto damage paper, cloth, or clothing to damage paper, cloth, or clothing by pulling it too hard, or by letting it touch something sharp: · She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.tear something on something: · I had torn the knees of my jeans on the rough gravel.tear something out/tear out something: · She tore a page out of her diary and wrote her phone number on it.tear something off/tear off something: · The attendant tore off the parking ticket and handed it back.tear something open/tear open something: · Peterson tore open the envelope.tear a hole in something: · I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.tear something in half: · He took my ticket and tore it in half. "Row J, seats 8 and 9."
to tear something quickly or violently: · Stop pulling my dress! You'll rip it!rip something out/rip out something: · You can see where the label has been ripped out.rip something on something: · I ripped my skirt on a broken chair.rip something open/rip open something: · Beth excitedly ripped open the package.
British if a woman ladders her tights or stockings, she accidentally tears them so that a line of stitches becomes loose: · Damn! I've laddered my tights!
if you split your trousers, a long straight tear appears in them when you bend over or when you try to put on a pair that is too tight: · He bent down and split his trousers.
to deliberately destroy something by tearing it into pieces to tear a piece of paper or cloth into many pieces: tear up something: · After Alan left, she tore up all his old letters.tear something up: · Pamela tore the note up and threw it in the wastebasket.
to tear something into pieces quickly or angrily: rip up something: · Martine ripped up her essay and started again.rip something up: · He'd get frustrated and throw his pencil down and rip his paper up.
to deliberately destroy letters, secret documents etc by putting them through a special machine which cuts them into long thin pieces: · The superintendent gave his secretary some letters to shred.· Some photographs and important documents -- the only evidence available -- had been shredded.
to tear a piece of paper into very small pieces, especially because you are angry: · Karen tore his photograph to shreds.· He tore out the page and ripped it to shreds.
to become torn accidentally · My jacket caught on a nail and tore.· Don't pull on the cloth, it will tear.tear easily · Be careful, the paper tears easily.
to become badly torn, especially as the result of a sudden movement: · Tom heard his shorts rip as he climbed over the gate.· My zipper was stuck, and the material around it ripped as I pulled on it.
if material splits , a long straight tear appears in it: · Hudson's coat had split right up the back.· These shoes are so old the canvas had split.
when something has been torn when something made of cloth or paper has been torn: · He was wearing torn trousers and a ragged jacket.· The pages of the book were torn and faded.get torn: · If the cover of a book gets torn, the library sends it to be repaired.
if a piece of cloth or paper is in shreds , it has been torn and damaged so much that it has almost fallen apart: · The curtains hung in shreds and the carpet was worn thin.· The clothes were handed down in the family, and by the time they reached the last child, they were in shreds.
clothes or things made of cloth that are frayed are torn a little along the edges, usually because they have been used a lot: · He had on frayed jeans and an old white shirt.frayed at the cuffs/collar/edges etc: · The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.
cloth, paper, or a piece of clothing that is tattered is torn in many places, especially because it has been used a lot: · A man in tattered blue dungarees was busy in the garage.· The old diary was yellowed and tattered.
clothes or things made of cloth that are ragged are torn and untidy, often because the people who own them are very poor: · The blanket she wore over her shoulders was ragged and filthy.· A man in ragged clothes was begging on the corner.
a hole that is made when something is torn · How did you get that tear in your jacket ?· There's a small tear near the corner of the painting.
a long hole that is made when something such as a piece of clothing is torn: · The rips in the boat's old sails had been patched again and again.· A rip in a repair worker's protective suit increases the risk of getting a shock as they work on the electricity lines.
British /run especially American a line of torn stitches in a pair of tights etc: · There's a run in these pantyhose.get a ladder/run: · I got a ladder in my tights.
to take off someone else's clothes to take off all someone's clothes for them, especially because they are unable to do it themselves: · I'll get the children undressed and ready for bed.· Two nurses undressed the old woman and lifted her on to the bed.
to take off all someone's clothes because you are going to punish or search them: · One of the guards stripped the prisoner and beat him with a chain.· I was taken to police headquarters where I was stripped and searched.strip somebody naked: · The men were stripped naked and herded into a small prison cell.
to very quickly and roughly take off someone's clothes: · Molly tore off the child's clothing looking for more marks and bruises.
to make someone remove their clothes in order to check their body for hidden drugs or weapons: · We cannot open every piece of baggage and strip search every passenger on every flight.· Hicks was taken to the police station, strip searched, and put in a holding cell.
to take off your clothes: take off something · "It's warm in here,'' said Michael, taking off his jacket.take something/it/them off · Take your shoes off before you come in.· Mom, I hate this tie. Can I take it off?
to take off all your clothes, especially before going to bed: · She got undressed and went to bed.
written to take off all your clothes, especially before going to bed: · Paul went into the bathroom to undress.
to take off your clothes and put on different clothes: · The boys ran up the stairs to get changed.· I'll be ready in a second, I just have to get changed.
to take off all or some of your clothes and put different clothes on: · Do you mind waiting while I change my clothes?change into: · She changed into a sweater and some jeans.change out of: · Ed went into the bedroom to change out of his work clothes.
to quickly take off all your clothes or a piece of clothing: · We stripped off and dived into the pool.strip off something: · She ran upstairs, stripped off her jeans and sweater and pulled on a dressing gown.
to take off all your clothes, especially because someone has told you to, or in a way that is deliberately sexually exciting: · The women in the club screamed and clapped as the male dancers began to strip.strip to the waist (=take off all the clothes on the top half of your body): · "I'd like you to strip to the waist so I can listen to your chest,'' said the doctor.strip (down) to your shorts, underwear etc (=take off everything except your shorts, underwear etc): · The prisoners were ordered to strip down to their underwear and wait for the guards.
to take off your clothes or a piece of clothing very quickly and roughly: tear off something: · I tore off the plastic gloves and threw them away.tear something off: · James began to undress wildly, tearing his clothes off as if he was on fire.
to strongly criticize someone or something to strongly and publicly criticize a person, plan, or belief that you completely disagree with: · Several actors have attacked proposals to cut the theatre's budget.attack somebody for (doing) something: · Union leaders attacked management for eliminating employee health benefits.
to criticize someone or something very strongly in a public statement -- used especially in newspapers: · Sullivan never misses a chance to slam the tobacco industry.slam somebody for doing something: · Police slammed drivers for ignoring safety warnings.
to strongly criticize something such as a film, play, or a performance by writing about it in a newspaper, talking about it on television etc: · The movie was panned by all the critics.
to find a lot of faults in someone's ideas or arguments and criticize them very severely: · After the prosecutor had presented his case, the defence lawyer tore his arguments to shreds.
if someone is pilloried , they are criticized very strongly and publicly by a lot of people: · Harper was pilloried in the press after his team's sixth consecutive defeat.· Middleton suffered the ultimate humiliation of being pilloried by his colleagues in front of the television cameras.
informal to criticize every part of someone's character or work: · Field did a complete hatchet job on his former colleague at a cabinet meeting last week.
informal to criticize someone very strongly for something they have done: · The teacher really laid into us this morning -- told us we'd all fail if we didn't start doing some work.lay into about: · You should have heard my wife laying into me about coming home late last night.
to deliberately destroy a building to destroy a building using special equipment, because it is old or not safe: · Eventually, in 1997, the apartment block was demolished.· When they demolished the church, a cave was discovered beneath it.
also pull down British to deliberately destroy a building or wall because it is not now needed, not safe etc: knock/pull down something: · If you knocked down this wall, the living room would be a lot bigger.· She was brought up in a tatty little house that has since been pulled down.knock/pull something down: · They'll have to knock down these houses when they build the new road.
to deliberately destroy a building or other structure, especially in order to put something else in its place - use this especially when you do not approve of this action: tear down something: · We need laws to keep people from tearing down these beautiful old buildings.tear something down: · I'll be really upset if they tear the old theater down.
to move very fast in a particular direction to go somewhere as fast as you can: race back/up/into etc: · Hearing the children's screams, she raced back to the house.· A police car came racing down the road.tear away/up/across etc: · She tore across the lobby, then up three flights of stairs.· Just before the explosion, a man came tearing across the street.
to go somewhere very quickly because you are in a hurry: rush out/around/into etc: · Everyone rushed out into the street to see what was happening.· People were rushing past me on their way to work.dash into/around/to etc: · Pam dashed into the store just as it was closing.· The boys dashed across the road and disappeared into the woods.
to travel or go somewhere extremely quickly: fly past/up/along etc: · As I slowed down another car flew past me and turned to the left.· The bus was flying along when suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes.
to run, fly, or swim with a sudden quick movement: dart through/back/across etc: · I could see small silvery fish darting through the water.· As the rain began to fall harder, I darted into the first shop I could find.
written if someone or something streaks somewhere, they run or fly there so fast that you can hardly see them: streak across/past/away etc: · Two aircraft streaked across the sky.· I caught a glimpse of a man streaking away into the shadows.
to move extremely quickly through the air or along a road, making a loud high noise: whizz past/by/through etc: · A bullet whizzed past my ear.· I stared out the window, watching as kids on bicycles and skateboards whizzed by.
if a car, bus, plane etc zooms somewhere, it moves there extremely fast, making a loud noise with its engine: zoom past/through/over etc: · The plane zoomed low over the airfield.· A fire engine zoomed past us.
to move somewhere very quickly, especially in a vehicle: speed along/by/towards etc: · An ambulance sped by on its way to an accident.· Small patrol boats sped along the shore.
use this to say that someone or something is going extremely fast: · That car must have been really moving when it hit the van.
to leave unwillingly to leave a place or person very unwillingly because you have to: · The view was so magnificent that it was difficult to tear ourselves away.tear/force yourself away from: · Jake watched as police officers examined the body. It was a horrible sight, but he couldn't tear himself away from it.
also find it difficult to leave to feel it is extremely difficult to leave a person or place that you like very much: · Kim couldn't bear to leave Danny, and cried all the way to the airport.· Ballesteros has always found it difficult to leave his home in Pedrena.can hardly bear to leave: · We'd had such a great vacation, we could hardly bear to leave.
to run · You'll have to run or you'll miss the bus.· He kept on running until he was out in the open country.run across/through/along etc · A dog ran straight out in front of my car.· Run to the bathroom and get a towel.run for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it) · Just running for the bus leaves me out of breath.run away/off (=run fast in order to leave a place) · They grabbed her purse and then ran off towards the subway.· Neil tried to catch the frightened animal, but it ran away from him.run around/round (=run in several different directions over a fairly large area, for fun) · The kids were running around and being silly.run after somebody/something (=chase someone) · Her dog was running after a rabbit and did not hear her calling.
to run very quickly for a short distance, especially because you have to do something urgently: dash around/into/across etc: · Gillian saw two men dash past, but they didn't notice her.· I eventually found the place, and dashed up the stairs.dash off (=leave a place very quickly, for example because you are late): · We only have a few moments, because Heidi's got to dash off soon.
informal to start running quickly towards a place or thing to try to reach it or escape something: · It was raining, and we made a run for the car.· When the lecture was finally ovr, the students made a break for the exit.make a run/dash/break for it (=try to escape): · As soon as the guard turns around, we'll make a run for it.make a made dash for something (=run very quickly): · She heard the whistle and made a mad dash for the departing train.
to run as fast as you can, usually over a short distance: sprint towards/out/across etc: · Margaret sprinted down the street, almost collapsing when she reached us.sprint for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it.): · The bus driver must have seen me sprinting for the bus, but he drove off.
to run fairly slowly, taking short steps: trot in/across/towards etc: · She trotted softly through the passageway to the gate. · I looked up, and saw a dog trotting along the sidewalk toward me.trot along/back/off : · Dorothy arrived, with a little dog trotting along behind her.
to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: tear along/past/through etc: · Bobby tore past, shouting something about being late for work.· A masked man came tearing out of the bank and jumped into a waiting car.tear off (=leave somewhere running very quickly): · Mary tore off downstairs, determined to see the visitors for herself.
to run quickly and with a lot of energy, especially when you are going to attack someone or something: charge at/towards/into etc: · The doors flew open, and Pascoe charged across the foyer, scattering people in all directions. · Riot police with batons charged at soccer fans twice during last night's international with Spain.charge off (=leave somewhere in a hurry): · Don't charge off, I want a word with you.
to suddenly start running, especially after you have been walking: · Suddenly two of the prisoners broke into a run, heading as fast as they could for the fence.· He walked swiftly, resisting the urge to break into a run.
to move quickly forward with long high jumps: bound towards/across/up etc: · A big black Alsatian dog came bounding up to her.· There was a shout, and suddenly Adrian bounded into the room.
WORD SETSabscess, nounache, verbache, nounacne, nounagoraphobia, nounagoraphobic, nounague, noun-aholic, suffixAIDS, nounailment, nounairsick, adjectivealbino, nounalcoholic, nounalcoholism, nounallergic, adjectiveallergy, nounamnesia, nounamputee, nounanaemia, nounanaemic, adjectiveangina, nounanorexia, nounanorexic, adjectiveantacid, nounanthrax, nounantibody, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantigen, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounapoplectic, adjectiveapoplexy, nounappendicitis, nounarteriosclerosis, nounarthritis, nounaseptic, adjectiveaspirin, nounasthma, nounastigmatism, nounasymptomatic, adjectiveathlete's foot, nounatrophy, verbauto-immune disease, nounAyurvedic medicine, nounbaby blues, nounbacillus, nounbackache, nounbark, verbbattle fatigue, nounBCG, nounbedridden, adjectivebedsore, nounbed-wetting, nounbellyache, nounbenign, adjectiveberiberi, nounbespectacled, adjectivebetter, adjectivebilious, adjectivebinge, verbbiopsy, nounbirthmark, nounbite, verbbite, nounblack and blue, adjectiveBlack Death, the, black eye, nounblackout, nounbleed, verbbleeding, nounblind, verbblister, nounblister, verbblood bank, nounblood donor, nounblood poisoning, nounbloodshot, adjectiveblood transfusion, nounbloody, adjectivebloody, verbblue baby, nounboil, nounbotulism, nounbrain damage, nounbreakdown, nounbronchitis, nounbruise, nounbruise, verbBSE, nounbubonic plague, nounbug, nounbulimia, nounbump, nounbunion, nounbuzz, verbcalloused, adjectivecallus, nouncancer, nouncandida, nouncanker, nouncarbuncle, nouncarcinogen, nouncarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinoma, nouncardiac, adjectivecardiovascular, adjectivecaries, nouncarpal tunnel syndrome, nouncarrier, nouncarry, verbcarsick, adjectivecast, nouncasualty, nouncataract, nouncatarrh, nouncatatonic, adjectivecatching, adjectivecauliflower ear, nouncerebral palsy, nouncertify, verbcervical smear, nounchapped, adjectivecharley horse, nounchemotherapy, nounchesty, adjectivechicken pox, nounchilblains, nounChinese medicine, nouncholera, nounchronic, adjectivecirrhosis, nounCJD, nouncleanse, verbcleft palate, nounclinic, nounclinical, adjectiveclub foot, nouncold, nouncold sore, nouncolic, nouncolitis, nouncollapse, verbcolour-blind, adjectivecoma, nouncommon cold, nouncommon denominator, nouncommunicate, verbcomplaint, nouncomplicate, verbcomplication, nouncompound fracture, nounconcuss, verbconcussion, nouncondition, nouncongenital, adjectivecongested, adjectiveconjunctivitis, nounconstipation, nounconsumption, nounconsumptive, nouncontagion, nouncontagious, adjectivecontinent, adjectivecontract, verbcontusion, nounconvalesce, verbconvulsion, nouncorn, nouncortisone, nouncot death, nouncough, nounCPR, nouncrack-up, nouncramp, nounCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease, nouncrick, nouncrick, verbcripple, nouncripple, verbcross-eyed, adjectivecroup, nouncurable, adjectivecut, nouncyst, nouncystic fibrosis, nouncystitis, noundecompression sickness, noundeep vein thrombosis, noundeformity, noundegenerative, adjectivedehydrate, verbdelirious, adjectivedelirium, noundelusion, noundementia, noundengue fever, noundepression, noundermatitis, noundiabetes, noundiabetic, adjectivediabetic, noundiagnosis, noundialysis, noundiaper rash, noundiarrhoea, noundiphtheria, noundisability, noundisable, verbdisabled, adjectivedischarge, verbdisease, noundisgorge, verbdislocate, verbdisorder, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundistemper, noundistend, verbdizzy, adjectivedoddering, adjectivedoddery, adjectivedonate, verbdonor, noundouble vision, noundoughy, adjectivedown, adverbDown's syndrome, noundrawn, adjectivedressing, noundrinker, noundrunk, adjectivedrunk, noundrunken, adjectivedull, adjectivedumb, adjectiveDVT, noundysentery, noundyslexia, noundyspepsia, noundyspeptic, adjectiveearache, nouneating disorder, nounEbola, nounectopic pregnancy, nouneczema, nounemaciated, adjectiveemasculate, verbembolism, nounemphysema, nounencephalitis, nounendoscope, nounenervate, verbenteritis, nounepidemic, nounepilepsy, nounepileptic, adjectiveepileptic, nounetiology, nounexcruciating, adjectiveexposure, nouneyeless, adjectiveeye strain, nounfail, verbfaint, nounfester, verbfever, nounfever blister, nounfevered, adjectivefeverish, adjectivefirst aid, nounfit, nounflat feet, nounflat-footed, adjectiveflu, nounfood poisoning, nounfoot and mouth disease, nounfracture, verbfracture, nounfrostbite, noungall, noungammy, adjectiveganglion, noungangrene, noungas, noungash, noungastric, adjectivegastritis, noungastroenteritis, nounGerman measles, nounget, verbgingivitis, nounglandular fever, nounglaucoma, noungnarled, adjectivegonorrhea, noungout, noungrand mal, noungraze, verbgraze, noungriping, adjectivegroggy, adjectivegrowing pains, noungrowth, noungush, verbgynaecology, nounhacking cough, nounhaemophilia, nounhaemophiliac, nounhaemorrhage, nounhaemorrhage, verbhaemorrhoids, nounhalitosis, nounhandicap, nounhandicapped, adjectivehangover, nounhard of hearing, adjectiveharelip, nounhay fever, nounheadache, nounhealth, nounheart attack, nounheartburn, nounheart disease, nounheart failure, nounheat exhaustion, nounheat rash, nounheatstroke, nounheave, verbhepatitis, nounhernia, nounherpes, nounHIV, nounhormone replacement therapy, nounhospital, nounhospitalize, verbhot flush, nounhousebound, adjectiveHRT, nounhump, nounhumpback, nounhunchback, nounhungover, adjectivehydrophobia, nounhypertension, nounhypothermia, nounhysterectomy, nounhysteria, nounhysterical, adjectiveillness, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nounimmunize, verbimmunology, nounimpacted, adjectiveimpediment, nounimpetigo, nounimpotent, adjectiveincision, nounincontinent, adjectiveincubate, verbincurable, adjectiveindigestion, nounindisposed, adjectiveindisposition, nouninfantile, adjectiveinfantile paralysis, nouninfect, verbinfected, adjectiveinfection, nouninfectious, adjectiveinfirmity, nouninflammation, nouninflammatory, adjectiveinfluenza, nouninfusion, nouningrowing, adjectiveinoculate, verbinoperable, adjectiveinsane, adjectiveinsanity, nouninsomnia, nouninsomniac, nouninstability, nounintensive care, nounintravenous, adjectiveinvalid, nouninvalidity, nouninvasive, adjectiveirregular, adjectiveirritable bowel syndrome, nounirritant, nounirritate, verbirritated, adjectiveirritation, noun-ism, suffixisolation, nounjaundice, nounjaundiced, adjectivejet lag, nounknock-kneed, adjectiveknotted, adjectivelaceration, nounlaryngitis, nounlegionnaire's disease, nounleper, nounleprosy, nounlesion, nounleukemia, nounlisp, nounlisteria, nounliverish, adjectivelockjaw, nounlong-sighted, adjectiveloose, adjectivelozenge, nounlumbago, nounlunacy, nounLyme disease, nounmad cow disease, nounmalady, nounmalaise, nounmalaria, nounmalformation, nounmalignancy, nounmalignant, adjectivemalnourished, adjectivemalnutrition, nounmange, nounmangy, adjectivemania, nounmanic, adjectivemanic depression, nounmastitis, nounME, nounmeasles, nounmedicinal, adjectivemegalomania, nounmegalomaniac, nounmelancholia, nounmelancholic, adjectivemelanoma, nounmend, verbmeningitis, nounmentally handicapped, adjectivemigraine, nounmild, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmole, nounmongol, nounmono, nounmononucleosis, nounmorbid, adjectivemorning sickness, nounmoron, nounmotion sickness, nounmotor neurone disease, nounMRI, nounMRSA, nounMS, nounmultiple sclerosis, nounmumps, nounmurmur, nounmusclebound, adjectivemuscular dystrophy, nounmute, adjectivemute, nounmyopia, nounmyopic, adjectivemyxomatosis, nounnarcolepsy, nounnausea, nounnauseate, verbnauseous, adjectivenearsighted, adjectivenervous breakdown, nounnettle rash, nounneuralgia, nounneurosis, nounneurotic, adjectivenosebleed, nounnotifiable, adjectiveNSU, nounobesity, nounoff-colour, adjectiveoperate, verboperation, nounophthalmic, adjectiveophthalmology, noun-osis, suffixosteoarthritis, nounosteopathy, nounosteoporosis, nounoutpatient, nounoverbite, nounpacemaker, nounpaediatrics, nounpale, adjectivepallid, adjectivepallor, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpalsy, nounpandemic, nounparalyse, verbparalysed, adjectiveparalysis, nounparalytic, adjectiveparalytic, nounparanoia, nounparaplegia, nounparaplegic, nounparasitic, adjectiveParkinson's disease, nounparoxysm, nounpasty, adjectivepasty-faced, adjectivepathogen, nounpathological, adjectivepathology, nounpeaked, adjectivepeaky, adjectivepellagra, nounpeptic ulcer, nounperforated, adjectiveperiod pain, nounperitonitis, nounpernicious anaemia, nounpersecution complex, nounpestilence, nounpestilential, adjectivepetit mal, nounpharyngitis, nounphlebitis, nounphlegm, noun-phobic, suffixphysiotherapy, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepins and needles, nounplacebo, nounplague, nounplaque, nounplaster cast, nounpleurisy, nounPMS, nounPMT, nounpneumonia, nounpockmark, nounpockmarked, adjectivepoisoning, nounpolio, nounpolyp, nounpoor, adjectivepost-traumatic stress disorder, nounpremenstrual tension, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpreventive medicine, nounprickle, verbprickly heat, nounprognosis, nounprolapse, nounprophylactic, adjectiveprophylactic, nounprophylaxis, nounpsoriasis, nounpsychopath, nounpsychosis, nounpsychosomatic, adjectivepsychotic, adjectivepuffy, adjectivepull, verbpurulent, adjectivepus, nounpustule, nounqueasy, adjectiverabid, adjectiverabies, nounradiation sickness, nounradiography, nounrash, nounraw, adjectivereact, verbreaction, nounreceive, verbrecuperate, verbrecuperative, adjectiveregurgitate, verbrelapse, verbremission, nounrepetitive strain injury, nounresistance, nounrespond, verbretch, verbRhesus factor, nounrheumatic, adjectiverheumatic fever, nounrheumatism, nounrheumatoid arthritis, nounrickets, nounringworm, nounRSI, nounrubella, nounrun-down, adjectiverunny, adjectiverupture, nounsaddle-sore, adjectivesalmonella, nounscab, nounscabby, adjectivescabies, nounscald, verbscald, nounscaly, adjectivescar, nounscar, verbscarlet fever, nounschizophrenia, nounsciatica, nounsclerosis, nounscrape, verbscrape, nounscratch, nounscurvy, nounseasick, adjectiveseizure, nounself-examination, nounsenile, adjectivesenile dementia, nounsenseless, adjectivesepsis, nounseptic, adjectivesepticaemia, nounserum, nounset, verbsexually transmitted disease, nounshell shock, nounshell-shocked, adjectiveshingles, nounshock, nounshort-sighted, adjectivesickle-cell anaemia, nounsickly, adjectivesickness, nounside effect, nounsightless, adjectivesimple fracture, nounsleeping sickness, nounslipped disc, nounsmallpox, nounsnakebite, nounsnow blindness, nounsore, adjectivesore, nounspastic, adjectivespecial needs, nounspecimen, nounspina bifida, nounsprain, verbsputum, nounsquint, verbsquint, nounstammer, nounstarvation, nounstarve, verbSTD, nounstomachache, nounstone, nounstrain, nounstrain, verbstrangulated, adjectivestrep throat, nounstroke, nounsty, nounsuccumb, verbsufferer, nounsunstroke, nounsuperbug, nounsurgical, adjectiveswelling, nounswollen, adjectivesymptom, nounsymptomatic, adjectivesyndrome, nounsyphilis, nounTB, nountear, verbtetanus, nountherapeutic, adjectivetherapy, nounthrombosis, nounthrush, nountic, nountight, adjectivetingle, verbtinnitus, nountipsy, adjectivetonsillitis, nountoothache, nountorment, nountourniquet, nountoxaemia, nountoxic shock syndrome, nountraction, nountransfusion, nountrauma, nountravel sickness, nountreatment, nountremor, nountuberculosis, nountumour, nountunnel vision, nountwinge, nountwitch, nountyphoid, nountyphus, nounulcer, nounulcerate, verbultrasound, noununderweight, adjectiveundressed, adjectiveunhealthy, adjectiveuntreated, adjectivevaccinate, verbvaccine, nounvaricose veins, nounVD, nounvenereal disease, nounverruca, nounvertigo, nounviral, adjectivevirology, nounvirulent, adjectivevomit, verbvomit, nounwart, nounweak, adjectiveweal, nounweep, verbwheeze, verbwheeze, nounwheezy, adjectivewhiplash, nounwhooping cough, nounwind, nounwithered, adjectivewound, nounwrench, verbwriter's cramp, nounyaws, nounyeast infection, nounyellow fever, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYphrases Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears. She was struggling to keep back the tears. He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears. The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood. Jess seemed on the verge of tears. I felt tears well up in my eyes.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· She caught her shawl on a nail and tore a hole in it.
· She tore open the envelope.
· The dogs tore the meat to pieces.
(also tear something in half)· Jack snatched the letter from him and tore it in two.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· She grabbed the letter and ripped it to bits.
(=make them very bored)
(=extremely bored)· Rob was bored to tears trailing around the shops.
· All the medieval buildings were torn down.
Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. (=open it quickly and roughly)· My fingers trembled as I tore open the envelope.
· When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.
She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. (=a gas that stings your eyes, used by the police to control crowds)· Police using tear gas had clashed with protestors.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears.· She began to cry again, but they were tears of joy.
She was struggling to keep back the tears.· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.
He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears.· Her eyes were now full of tears of rage.
The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood.· There was an odd buzzing sound in her ears.
Jess seemed on the verge of tears.· She wept bitter tears of self-reproach.
I felt tears well up in my eyes.· Same kind of bloody pain - like people being torn apart.· Numerous nations have not only experienced external threats, but have been torn apart by internal struggle as well.· The play portrays a good marriage torn apart by external forces.· Then suddenly the landmass tears apart.· Indeed, it became increasingly torn apart by sectarian and ideological division.· Ministers lost status and irritated each other as diverse populations tore apart the unity of originally close-knit old towns.· But instead he was feeling torn apart by his own emotions.· The wind began howling as if it were a living thing some one was tearing apart in the sky above them.
· If the momentum picks up, conventional politics could be torn asunder.· In 1964, the Republican Party was torn asunder by the nomination of conservative Barry Goldwater.· Now their raging passions looked like tearing asunder one of the strongest rigs in the North Sea.· All told, the cradle of civilization has been tearing asunder for some 30 million years.
· His young hair and this old flag tearing away at the back of him.· To help Dern, Redgrave has to tear away some serious layers of denial.· And before Jezrael started to react Zuleika lifted one hand to tear away her fountain of black shiny-rippled hair.· She tore away the strap that kept the helmet on so that it came away in Menelaus' hand.· Fine fabrics are more easily stitched when tacked to tissue paper, which can be torn away afterwards.· He watched a young man hobbling up a trail, one foot torn away at the ankle.· The mouth and chin had been torn away and the jaw broken.· Waves up to 30 feet tore away the beachfront of the Huatulco Sheraton and other bays, leaving tree limbs scattered everywhere.
· Omonia supporters chased the ref off the pitch, then tore down the steel dressing-room doors.· He ordered two barracks torn down and a fountain constructed on the cement base of a latrine.· Forays had been made at night; scaffolding had been torn down and a few workers employed in building Carewscourt had been killed.· Some of the oldest blocks had already been torn down with the promise that new, moderate-income housing would be put up.· Robertsbridge, the great Cistercian house, disappeared entirely, torn down by the local people.· One homeowner appealed to the city for help to tear down her house.· He'd tear down the walls.· Thousands of other business buildings and homes have been strengthened or, in some cases, torn down as unsafe.
· The knots took some undoing and then finally an impatient Adam tore off the string before slowly removing the muslin.· You could tear off little pieces and light it, and it would burn.· He tore off the page of notes and thrust it into his pocket.· The reel began to screech in protest as a fine trout tore off into the distance, leaping spectacularly along the way.· She took the paper from him so violently that she tore off the corner.· The perforated slips are then torn off and placed in the pay envelopes of the employees.· Unable to master the lid lock, she tears off the pull-tab.
· Frantically she tore open the door to Elinor's apartment.· He tore open the cupboard door and peered at the tiny porthole of glass on the front of the central heating boiler.· She tore open the envelope, ignoring the paper knife Penman laid ready for her each day.· Puzzled, he tore open the envelope.· With his left hand he tore open the tunic of his uniform and drew up the undershirt, baring the flesh.· Magee tore open the driver's door, grabbing the man by the shoulder, hauling him from the cab.· Some one else had been here before him, tearing open the bags of perishables in search of anything worthy of rescue.· If I have to tear open the cages with my hands, I shall rescue him.
NOUN· Everything he wore had to be thick, because he tore his clothes, destroyed them.· If he had tried to tear the clothes from her, she probably wouldn't - couldn't - have stopped him.· She would bite herself, bite anybody, and tear her clothes off.· He looked ready to tear his clothes apart.· Once the soldiers pushed a woman down on the floor in front of the partition and tore at her clothes.
· One held me as the other tore my dress and then the pale flesh under.· She fell into another and tore her new red dress.
· While appearing with them in Berlin in 1937 she tore a ligament and had to give up further hope of dancing.· The tissue surrounds the torn ligaments that have limited his minutes and effectiveness in the past month.· This tore the ligaments that had been repaired five months ago.· His primary replacement, Junior Bryant, is questionable with a torn ligament in his right elbow.· The 27-year-old Oldham keeper is likely to be out for the rest of the season after tearing wrist ligaments against Manchester United.· Jurkovic suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and missed the rest of the game.· Spring focus: 2B Craig Biggio says he feels fine, but he is coming off surgery for two torn knee ligaments.· He had been released by the Bullets and had missed the entire season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
· The police were called, after which Bradley started to tear up the paper bags which were on the counter.· She tore the tissue paper, and tore it again until she could see what was there, nestled in her hand.· She tore the tissue paper off and held up a little polythene envelope, with two silver fist-in-a-bag ear-rings inside.· This rolling action can reduce the tendency to tear the paper.· The point tore through the paper.· She tore away the tissue paper and threw the dresses over the sofa.· He tore up the paper and burned the scraps in an ashtray.· I tore the paper off the chocolate and bit off a chunk.
· Raising his tracksuit top, he tore a strip from the exposed white T-shirt underneath.· Then I destroyed them, sometimes tearing them into little strips, sometimes burning them.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► tear somebody off a strip/tear a strip off somebody► tear somebody’s heart (out)/tear at somebody’s heart► that’s torn it!► tear up an agreement/contract etc► tear it upPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► blood, sweat, and tears► it’ll (all) end in tears► see something through a mist of tears
1paper/cloth a)[transitive] to damage something such as paper or cloth by pulling it hard or letting it touch something sharp SYN rip: - In the end the prosecutor's case was torn to shreds by Russell's lawyer.
- Male Siamese fighting fish will tear each other's fins to shreds.
- A shell had exploded in the body of one of them, tearing it to pieces; others were torn and wounded.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- They snarled at them as if they were criminals and took their papers as if they'd like to tear them to shreds.
- They will tear you to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- Within two years, other researchers had torn it to shreds.
- Garcia's opponents are angry enough to tear him limb from limb.
- Had she known, she'd have torn him limb from limb, bitten his sun-browned flesh till the blood flowed.
- I thought he was going to tear me limb from limb.
- They slew the gentle musician, tearing him limb from limb, and flung the severed head into the swift river Hebrus.
- Anyone else would be tearing his hair out, confronted by a pack of jabbering foreigners, but does Feargal?
- She was sorry for this little man and his problem but she was in a tearing hurry.
- Before that you have a genetic desire to inspect everything, to tear everything apart.
- I would never have believed then, that jealousy would tear us apart.
- It allows the vehicle to manoeuvre without tearing itself apart on the back axle.
- Little Charlie and the Nightcats tear things apart tomorrow night.
- Reg tore this apart and produced wonderful cool refreshing water which revived us all.
- The protest was tearing Holy Trinity apart.
- Tigers have attacked the dummies and torn them apart without any sign of being discouraged by the sharp jolt they have received.
- Why tear the church apart sO you can see the priest say Mass?
- Before that you have a genetic desire to inspect everything, to tear everything apart.
- I would never have believed then, that jealousy would tear us apart.
- It allows the vehicle to manoeuvre without tearing itself apart on the back axle.
- Little Charlie and the Nightcats tear things apart tomorrow night.
- Reg tore this apart and produced wonderful cool refreshing water which revived us all.
- The protest was tearing Holy Trinity apart.
- Tigers have attacked the dummies and torn them apart without any sign of being discouraged by the sharp jolt they have received.
- Why tear the church apart sO you can see the priest say Mass?
- All but three of the current buildings would be torn down.
- Gould was torn between the need to preserve his specimens and the desire to keep them a secret.
- Huge gaps were torn in the Confederate line at every discharge.
- My thigh is torn, the bone is shattered, although I did not feel the shot that struck me.
- Serena is torn between her sisterly love and her annoyance with Stella's aggressive insecurity.
- Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
- The whole must be torn out by the roots.
- At what stage did her briefs tear loose?
- He had heard the pounding, too, and thought a storm shutter had torn loose.
- In recent months they have begun to tear loose from this platform.
- One error and he would have been torn loose and hurled overboard to be smothered by the driving spray.
- One of the clouds over Bald Hill tore loose and floated down the sky toward us.
- The great ice bridge had torn loose from its foundations and was starting to move downstream toward the Whirlpool.
- The piece of paper tore loose.
- Tightness throughout the abdomen making it impossible to cough or strain for fear that something will burst or will tear loose.
- Before their lives were torn apart, they were a happy family.
- He was torn apart as health and social security secretary and suffered demotion before resigning.
- He would be torn apart by the difference between the gravitational force on his head and his feet.
- In practice instruments could not survive such a journey; they would be torn apart by the increasing gravitational field gradients.
- Parents who objected were torn apart as heretics.
- The political structures were torn apart until the very foundations were rocked.
- The spaceship would be torn apart by infinitely strong forces.
- We have players in the league whose families, let alone countries, are torn apart by war.
- If the momentum picks up, conventional politics could be torn asunder.
- In 1964, the Republican Party was torn asunder by the nomination of conservative Barry Goldwater.
- The veils are parting, the mists are rent asunder.
- This unity was to be rent asunder by changes in technology and by the impact of the Modern Movement in architecture.
- She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.
- I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly, and he seemed to be blinking back tears.
- She needed to blink away tears.
- Touching the welt, Howard tried to blink back tears before going inside.
- His dumb loyalty brought tears to my eyes.
- Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes 20 years later.
- The pain of the short trip brought tears to my eyes.
- The thought of his wasting all that training brought tears to my eyes.
- The tune moved through her mind and body, bringing tears to her eyes.
- The very word brings tears to your eyes.
- They brought tears to her eyes, but tears of pain soon welled up from an overwhelming sense of despair.
- This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
- But far be it for us to shed crocodile tears over the bruised egos of our male counterparts.
- So much for the exiles' crocodile tears over Elian's removal.
- That is why we should regard Labour's albeit genuine crocodile tears as extremely salty.
- They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged, but are basically happy with things as they are.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- Francis and Christopher dissolved in laughter, lapped theirs up and declared it very good.
- If he mentioned moving out of her parents' house, she dissolved into tears.
- Katherine threw herself against Gary and dissolved into tears.
- The waiter bowed and retreated, Stephen and Lily dissolved into laughter.
- When at last she is alone, her sorrow overwhelms her and she dissolves in tears.
- I was in floods of tears.
- It was surprising that she did not feel embarrassed at being caught in floods of tears.
- Jane departed in floods of tears and Rosemary duly arrived, in a very bad temper.
- Anyone else would be tearing his hair out, confronted by a pack of jabbering foreigners, but does Feargal?
- I was pulling my hair out.
- It pulls at the heartstrings of every agent out there to see a young lady or anyone jeopardized by these conditions.
- That night the little creature did not stop crying and its pitiful little squeak tore at Aggie's heartstrings.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- Telling me the strangest things sometimes, evil things - till I want to shout out or smash them to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- They will tear you to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- At mealtimes, Kornemann would rail at his wife in front of the boys, reducing her to tears.
- He has in his grasp the ability to reduce anyone to tears, through a snappy headline or lurid story.
- Initially, it was the existential absurdity of his predicament that reduced Sooty to silence.
- It becomes the subject of innumerable short stories and songs, of films that reduce their audiences to tears.
- Outside in her car she kept a tight grip on herself, refusing to let her humiliation reduce her to tears.
- She would come home in tears and reduce my wife to tears.
- They might stop me having visitors if they think I reduce them to tears.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- I imagine a few tears will be shed at Monica's farewell party.
- As the train drew out our dear friends on the platform blew kisses, shed tears and waved their handkerchiefs.
- He shed tears the way a flower sheds petals, they fell to the ground, lay scattered round his feet.
- I had persevered, and I shed tears more in relief than in pain.
- Likewise, when she shed tears for her son, she did it when she was alone.
- Richard Simmons sheds tears over them.
- She wouldn't shed tears over that ... that brute.
- While women were increasingly associated with weakness and emotion, by 1860 men no longer dared embrace in public or shed tears.
- And the politicians, thank goodness, have only so much money with which to rip each other to shreds.
- Its springtime for President Bill Clinton as he watches his Republican challengers rip each other to shreds.
- Other than the chance to rip it to shreds.
- The agony of such a torment would tear her to shreds.
- They didn't have a humidifier and it's torn my voice to shreds.
- They snarled at them as if they were criminals and took their papers as if they'd like to tear them to shreds.
- They would have torn Corbett to shreds if the grille had been raised.
- Within two years, other researchers had torn it to shreds.
- Joy went crimson and tears sprang into her eyes.
- With that avowal, tears sprang to her eyes, leaving Farini nonplussed.
- The world is a vale of tears, a giant ball of dung.
- We all know what next occurred-and here we all are, in this vale of tears.
Be careful not to tear the paper. His clothes were old and torn.tear something on something She realized she had torn her jacket on a nail.tear something off Tear off the slip at the bottom of this page and send it back to us.tear something out (of something) He tore a page out of his notebook and handed it to her. The dog had torn a huge hole in the tent. He picked up the envelope and tore it open. She tore the letter to pieces and threw it in the bin. Most of her clothes had been torn to shreds. b)[intransitive] if paper or cloth tears, it splits and a hole appears, because it has been pulled too hard or has touched something sharp: The paper is old and tears easily.► see thesaurus at break2move quickly [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to run or drive somewhere very quickly, especially in a dangerous or careless way: She tore back into the house. We tore down to the hospital. He tore off into town.► see thesaurus at run3remove something [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to pull something violently from a person or placetear something from somebody/something He tore the letter from my hand. A bridge was torn from the bank by the floodwaters.tear something off something High winds nearly tore the roof off the house.4be torn a)if you are torn, you are unable to decide what to do because you have different feelings or different things that you wanttear between She was torn between her love of dancing and her fear of performing in public. He was torn two ways. Jess was torn by anger and worry. b)if a country or group is torn, it is divided because people in it have very different ideas and are arguing or fighting with each other: The country was torn by civil war. She spent two months in the war-torn city.5muscle [transitive] to damage a muscle or ligament: She had torn a muscle in her leg.6tear loose to move violently and no longer be attached to something: One end had torn loose.7tear somebody/something to shreds/pieces informal to criticize someone or something very severely: He tore her arguments to shreds.8tear somebody off a strip/tear a strip off somebody British English informal to talk to someone very angrily because they have done something wrong9tear somebody limb from limb literary to attack someone in a very violent way10be tearing your hair out British English informal to feel anxious and upset because you are worried, or because you have to deal with something that is very difficult: I’ve been tearing my hair out trying to get done in time.11be in a tearing hurry British English to be doing something very quickly because you are late12tear somebody’s heart (out)/tear at somebody’s heart to make someone feel extremely upset: The thought of her out there alone tore at my heart.13that’s torn it! British English spoken old-fashioned used when something bad has happened that stops you from doing what you intended to do: Oh, no, that’s torn it! I’ve left my keys in the car!COLLOCATIONSphrasestear a hole in something· She caught her shawl on a nail and tore a hole in it.tear something open· She tore open the envelope.tear something to pieces/shreds· The dogs tore the meat to pieces.tear something in two (also tear something in half)· Jack snatched the letter from him and tore it in two.THESAURUStear to damage paper or cloth by pulling it too hard, or letting it touch something sharp: · She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.· I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.rip to tear something quickly or violently: · Beth excitedly ripped open the package.· Stop pulling my dress! You’ll rip it!split to tear your trousers or shirt when you put them on, because they are too tight for you: · He bent down and split his trousers.· Oh no, now I’ve split my shirt.ladder British English if a woman ladders her tights or stockings, she tears them so that a long thin line appears in them: · Damn! I’ve laddered my tights!snag to catch a piece of clothing on something rough or sharp so that it tears slightly: · I snagged my shirt on a nail.shred to deliberately destroy letters, documents etc by cutting them into thin pieces, often by using a special machine: · In order to prevent fraud, it’s best to shred your bank statements.· I went through all my papers shredding things I didn’t need.frayed torn a little along the edges – used about clothes, carpets etc that have been used a lot: · He was wearing an old pair of frayed jeans.· The rug was a little frayed around the edges.· The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.tear somebody/something apart phrasal verb1tear something ↔ apart to cause serious arguments in a group of people SYN rip apart: Scandal is tearing the government apart. a row that tore the family apart2literary to separate people who are in a close relationship with each other: Nothing can tear us apart!3to make someone feel extremely unhappy or upset: Seeing her so upset really tore him apart.4tear something ↔ apart to break something violently into a lot of small pieces SYN rip apart: Her body had been torn apart by wolves.tear at somebody/something phrasal verb to pull violently at someone or something: The children were screaming and tearing at each other’s hair.tear somebody away phrasal verb to make yourself or someone else leave a place when you or they do not want to leave: He was enjoying the fun and couldn’t tear himself away.tear away from We finally managed to tear him away from the TV.tear something ↔ down phrasal verb to destroy a building deliberately: A lot of the old tower blocks have been torn down to make way for new housing.tear into somebody/something phrasal verb1to attack someone by hitting them very hard: The two boys tore into each other.2to criticize someone very strongly and angrily: From time to time she would really tear into her staff.3to start doing something quickly, with a lot of energy: I was amazed at the way she tore into her work.tear something ↔ off phrasal verb to remove your clothes as quickly as you can: He tore off his clothes and dived into the water.tear something ↔ up phrasal verb1to tear a piece of paper or cloth into small pieces SYN rip up: She tore up his letter and threw it away.2to remove something from the ground by pulling or pushing it violently: the remains of trees that had been torn up by the storm3 tear up an agreement/contract etc to say that you no longer accept an agreement or contract: threats to tear up the peace agreement4 tear it up informal a)to have fun in an extreme way b)to do something, for example play music or dance, very well on a particular occasiontear1 nountear2 verbtear3 nountear4 verb
teartear3 /teə $ ter/ noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- He had had visions, striding back to Bedford Square, of proper love-making, of tenderness, perhaps some tears.
- His parents' faces turn ashen when they first see him, then they smile through their tears.
- I remember it as if I were still standing there, streaked with blood and dust and tears, talking to her.
- Its last 15 minutes had me right where the filmmakers wanted me, which was in tears.
- They had to use tear gas to drive off the rioters.
- This time was no different and my master left Syon with the tears streaming down his face.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears. She was struggling to keep back the tears. He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears. The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood. Jess seemed on the verge of tears. I felt tears well up in my eyes.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· She grabbed the letter and ripped it to bits.
(=make them very bored)
(=extremely bored)· Rob was bored to tears trailing around the shops.
· All the medieval buildings were torn down.
Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. (=open it quickly and roughly)· My fingers trembled as I tore open the envelope.
· When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.
She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. (=a gas that stings your eyes, used by the police to control crowds)· Police using tear gas had clashed with protestors.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears.· She began to cry again, but they were tears of joy.
She was struggling to keep back the tears.· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.
He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears.· Her eyes were now full of tears of rage.
The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood.· There was an odd buzzing sound in her ears.
Jess seemed on the verge of tears.· She wept bitter tears of self-reproach.
I felt tears well up in my eyes.· And I wouldn't weep tears over it, either.· Spitting icicles and weeping tears of frost, the crucified one wrenched at his adamantine bolts.· Then I began to weep, howling with tears.· Whatever the reason, she wept, heartbroken tears that were almost silent but which tore her apart.· Finally to let her mind slip free of all this chaos, turn her face to the wall and weep slow tears.· You hold the world at arms length while Your heart weeps tears but your lips smile.· There are hundreds of reports of miraculous statues of Mary weeping real tears: some are reported to weep blood.· So she fell upon his grey hairy neck, weeping bright tears.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► blood, sweat, and tears► it’ll (all) end in tears► see something through a mist of tears
a hole in a piece of cloth or paper where it has been torntear in- Before their lives were torn apart, they were a happy family.
- He was torn apart as health and social security secretary and suffered demotion before resigning.
- He would be torn apart by the difference between the gravitational force on his head and his feet.
- In practice instruments could not survive such a journey; they would be torn apart by the increasing gravitational field gradients.
- Parents who objected were torn apart as heretics.
- The political structures were torn apart until the very foundations were rocked.
- The spaceship would be torn apart by infinitely strong forces.
- We have players in the league whose families, let alone countries, are torn apart by war.
- If the momentum picks up, conventional politics could be torn asunder.
- In 1964, the Republican Party was torn asunder by the nomination of conservative Barry Goldwater.
- The veils are parting, the mists are rent asunder.
- This unity was to be rent asunder by changes in technology and by the impact of the Modern Movement in architecture.
- She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.
- I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly, and he seemed to be blinking back tears.
- She needed to blink away tears.
- Touching the welt, Howard tried to blink back tears before going inside.
- His dumb loyalty brought tears to my eyes.
- Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes 20 years later.
- The pain of the short trip brought tears to my eyes.
- The thought of his wasting all that training brought tears to my eyes.
- The tune moved through her mind and body, bringing tears to her eyes.
- The very word brings tears to your eyes.
- They brought tears to her eyes, but tears of pain soon welled up from an overwhelming sense of despair.
- This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
- But far be it for us to shed crocodile tears over the bruised egos of our male counterparts.
- So much for the exiles' crocodile tears over Elian's removal.
- That is why we should regard Labour's albeit genuine crocodile tears as extremely salty.
- They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged, but are basically happy with things as they are.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- Francis and Christopher dissolved in laughter, lapped theirs up and declared it very good.
- If he mentioned moving out of her parents' house, she dissolved into tears.
- Katherine threw herself against Gary and dissolved into tears.
- The waiter bowed and retreated, Stephen and Lily dissolved into laughter.
- When at last she is alone, her sorrow overwhelms her and she dissolves in tears.
- I was in floods of tears.
- It was surprising that she did not feel embarrassed at being caught in floods of tears.
- Jane departed in floods of tears and Rosemary duly arrived, in a very bad temper.
- Anyone else would be tearing his hair out, confronted by a pack of jabbering foreigners, but does Feargal?
- I was pulling my hair out.
- It pulls at the heartstrings of every agent out there to see a young lady or anyone jeopardized by these conditions.
- That night the little creature did not stop crying and its pitiful little squeak tore at Aggie's heartstrings.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- Telling me the strangest things sometimes, evil things - till I want to shout out or smash them to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- They will tear you to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- At mealtimes, Kornemann would rail at his wife in front of the boys, reducing her to tears.
- He has in his grasp the ability to reduce anyone to tears, through a snappy headline or lurid story.
- Initially, it was the existential absurdity of his predicament that reduced Sooty to silence.
- It becomes the subject of innumerable short stories and songs, of films that reduce their audiences to tears.
- Outside in her car she kept a tight grip on herself, refusing to let her humiliation reduce her to tears.
- She would come home in tears and reduce my wife to tears.
- They might stop me having visitors if they think I reduce them to tears.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- I imagine a few tears will be shed at Monica's farewell party.
- As the train drew out our dear friends on the platform blew kisses, shed tears and waved their handkerchiefs.
- He shed tears the way a flower sheds petals, they fell to the ground, lay scattered round his feet.
- I had persevered, and I shed tears more in relief than in pain.
- Likewise, when she shed tears for her son, she did it when she was alone.
- Richard Simmons sheds tears over them.
- She wouldn't shed tears over that ... that brute.
- While women were increasingly associated with weakness and emotion, by 1860 men no longer dared embrace in public or shed tears.
- And the politicians, thank goodness, have only so much money with which to rip each other to shreds.
- Its springtime for President Bill Clinton as he watches his Republican challengers rip each other to shreds.
- Other than the chance to rip it to shreds.
- The agony of such a torment would tear her to shreds.
- They didn't have a humidifier and it's torn my voice to shreds.
- They snarled at them as if they were criminals and took their papers as if they'd like to tear them to shreds.
- They would have torn Corbett to shreds if the grille had been raised.
- Within two years, other researchers had torn it to shreds.
- Joy went crimson and tears sprang into her eyes.
- With that avowal, tears sprang to her eyes, leaving Farini nonplussed.
- The world is a vale of tears, a giant ball of dung.
- We all know what next occurred-and here we all are, in this vale of tears.
There was a huge tear in his shirt. → wear and tear at wear2(2)tear1 nountear2 verbtear3 nountear4 verb
teartear4 /tiə $ tɪr/ verb [intransitive] especially American English VERB TABLE
tear
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | tear |
| he, she, it | tears | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | tore |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have torn |
| he, she, it | has torn | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had torn |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will tear |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have torn |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am tearing |
| he, she, it | is tearing | |
| you, we, they | are tearing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was tearing |
| you, we, they | were tearing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been tearing |
| he, she, it | has been tearing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been tearing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be tearing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been tearing |
THESAURUS
to move very quickly, especially because you need to be somewhere soon: · He was rushing out of his office in order to go to a meeting.· There’s no need to rush - we have plenty of time.
to do something or go somewhere more quickly than usual, especially because there is not much time: · People hurried into stores to escape the rain.· You ll have to hurry or we 'll be late for breakfast· I hurried through the rest of my workout and showered as quickly as I could.
to go somewhere as fast as you can: · She raced downstairs to tell her mother.· He raced back to his car and called for help.
to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: · I saw two boys tearing across the field towards the tree.· He tore down the stairs and out of the house.· They tore out of the building.
to run somewhere very fast, especially only a short distance: · Bob dashed across the road to his friend’s house.· Her heart was pumping furiously as she dashed through the kitchen to the front door.· I dashed outside to try to rescue the unfortunate creature.
American English informal to hurry when you are doing something or going somewhere: · You better hustle or you’re going to miss the school bus.
literary to hurry somewhere, especially because you need to do something: · Suddenly frightened, she hastened back to where her friends were standing.· She took a deep breath and then hastened after him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears. She was struggling to keep back the tears. He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears. The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood. Jess seemed on the verge of tears. I felt tears well up in my eyes.
· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· She grabbed the letter and ripped it to bits.
(=make them very bored)
(=extremely bored)· Rob was bored to tears trailing around the shops.
· All the medieval buildings were torn down.
Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He choked back tears as he described what had happened. (=open it quickly and roughly)· My fingers trembled as I tore open the envelope.
· When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.
She looked away, fighting back her tears. Her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes filled up with tears. Janet forced back her tears. (=a gas that stings your eyes, used by the police to control crowds)· Police using tear gas had clashed with protestors.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
We both collapsed into helpless giggles. She struggled to hold back her tears.· She began to cry again, but they were tears of joy.
She was struggling to keep back the tears.· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.
He tore a ligament in his left knee. His speech moved the audience to tears. A lot of the women were near tears. My eyes prickled with tears.· Her eyes were now full of tears of rage.
The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood.· There was an odd buzzing sound in her ears.
Jess seemed on the verge of tears.· She wept bitter tears of self-reproach.
I felt tears well up in my eyes.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► blood, sweat, and tears► it’ll (all) end in tears► see something through a mist of tears
if your eyes tear, they produce salty liquid, for example because of cold air or smoke SYN water: - Before their lives were torn apart, they were a happy family.
- He was torn apart as health and social security secretary and suffered demotion before resigning.
- He would be torn apart by the difference between the gravitational force on his head and his feet.
- In practice instruments could not survive such a journey; they would be torn apart by the increasing gravitational field gradients.
- Parents who objected were torn apart as heretics.
- The political structures were torn apart until the very foundations were rocked.
- The spaceship would be torn apart by infinitely strong forces.
- We have players in the league whose families, let alone countries, are torn apart by war.
- If the momentum picks up, conventional politics could be torn asunder.
- In 1964, the Republican Party was torn asunder by the nomination of conservative Barry Goldwater.
- The veils are parting, the mists are rent asunder.
- This unity was to be rent asunder by changes in technology and by the impact of the Modern Movement in architecture.
- She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.
- I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly, and he seemed to be blinking back tears.
- She needed to blink away tears.
- Touching the welt, Howard tried to blink back tears before going inside.
- His dumb loyalty brought tears to my eyes.
- Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes 20 years later.
- The pain of the short trip brought tears to my eyes.
- The thought of his wasting all that training brought tears to my eyes.
- The tune moved through her mind and body, bringing tears to her eyes.
- The very word brings tears to your eyes.
- They brought tears to her eyes, but tears of pain soon welled up from an overwhelming sense of despair.
- This unexpected kindness brings tears to my eyes.
- But far be it for us to shed crocodile tears over the bruised egos of our male counterparts.
- So much for the exiles' crocodile tears over Elian's removal.
- That is why we should regard Labour's albeit genuine crocodile tears as extremely salty.
- They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged, but are basically happy with things as they are.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- Francis and Christopher dissolved in laughter, lapped theirs up and declared it very good.
- If he mentioned moving out of her parents' house, she dissolved into tears.
- Katherine threw herself against Gary and dissolved into tears.
- The waiter bowed and retreated, Stephen and Lily dissolved into laughter.
- When at last she is alone, her sorrow overwhelms her and she dissolves in tears.
- I was in floods of tears.
- It was surprising that she did not feel embarrassed at being caught in floods of tears.
- Jane departed in floods of tears and Rosemary duly arrived, in a very bad temper.
- Anyone else would be tearing his hair out, confronted by a pack of jabbering foreigners, but does Feargal?
- I was pulling my hair out.
- It pulls at the heartstrings of every agent out there to see a young lady or anyone jeopardized by these conditions.
- That night the little creature did not stop crying and its pitiful little squeak tore at Aggie's heartstrings.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- Telling me the strangest things sometimes, evil things - till I want to shout out or smash them to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- And having got under them, he can't half tear them to pieces.
- Brandon Thomas opted to unveil his Aunt away from London fearful that the capital's theatre critics would tear it to pieces.
- He was thrown from his chariot and his horses tore him to pieces and devoured him.
- I had been given the power to obliterate, to steal a body from its grave and tear it to pieces.
- If Hyde returns while I am writing this confession, he will tear it to pieces to annoy me.
- They will tear you to pieces.
- We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws.
- At mealtimes, Kornemann would rail at his wife in front of the boys, reducing her to tears.
- He has in his grasp the ability to reduce anyone to tears, through a snappy headline or lurid story.
- Initially, it was the existential absurdity of his predicament that reduced Sooty to silence.
- It becomes the subject of innumerable short stories and songs, of films that reduce their audiences to tears.
- Outside in her car she kept a tight grip on herself, refusing to let her humiliation reduce her to tears.
- She would come home in tears and reduce my wife to tears.
- They might stop me having visitors if they think I reduce them to tears.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- I imagine a few tears will be shed at Monica's farewell party.
- As the train drew out our dear friends on the platform blew kisses, shed tears and waved their handkerchiefs.
- He shed tears the way a flower sheds petals, they fell to the ground, lay scattered round his feet.
- I had persevered, and I shed tears more in relief than in pain.
- Likewise, when she shed tears for her son, she did it when she was alone.
- Richard Simmons sheds tears over them.
- She wouldn't shed tears over that ... that brute.
- While women were increasingly associated with weakness and emotion, by 1860 men no longer dared embrace in public or shed tears.
- And the politicians, thank goodness, have only so much money with which to rip each other to shreds.
- Its springtime for President Bill Clinton as he watches his Republican challengers rip each other to shreds.
- Other than the chance to rip it to shreds.
- The agony of such a torment would tear her to shreds.
- They didn't have a humidifier and it's torn my voice to shreds.
- They snarled at them as if they were criminals and took their papers as if they'd like to tear them to shreds.
- They would have torn Corbett to shreds if the grille had been raised.
- Within two years, other researchers had torn it to shreds.
- Joy went crimson and tears sprang into her eyes.
- With that avowal, tears sprang to her eyes, leaving Farini nonplussed.
- The world is a vale of tears, a giant ball of dung.
- We all know what next occurred-and here we all are, in this vale of tears.
Why does cutting up onions make my eyes tear?tear up phrasal verb if you are tearing up, you are starting to have tears in your eyes because you feel very sad, happy etc: As she waved her mother goodbye, she found herself tearing up.