tear away
C1Informal, slightly literary in metaphorical use.
Definition
Meaning
To separate forcibly or with sudden force; to pull something or someone away from something else.
Often used metaphorically to mean forcing oneself or another to leave a captivating or absorbing situation (e.g., an activity, person, or place). It implies reluctance or difficulty in leaving.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase retains the violent or forceful connotation of the base verb 'tear' even when used metaphorically. It can be transitive ('tear someone away') or intransitive-reflexive ('tear oneself away').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. Both varieties use the phrase literally and metaphorically.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in the idiomatic, reflexive sense ('tear oneself away').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP tear NP away (from NP)NP tear away (from NP)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to tear oneself away from something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used in informal contexts: 'I can't tear myself away from these reports.'
Academic
Rare, except possibly in literary analysis: 'The protagonist is torn away from his idyllic childhood.'
Everyday
Common in describing leaving absorbing activities: 'The film was so good, I couldn't tear myself away.'
Technical
Very rare. Could appear in mechanics/engineering in a literal sense: 'The force tore the panel away from the frame.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He had to tear his son away from the video game.
- I finally tore myself away from the gripping novel to make some tea.
American English
- The paramedics tore the car door away to reach the driver.
- Can you tear yourself away from your phone for dinner?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The mother tore the child away from the sweets.
- It was hard to tear myself away from the beautiful view.
- The strong wind tore the roof away from the shed.
- He was so engrossed in his research that his assistant had to physically tear him away for the meeting.
- She felt a pang of guilt as she tore herself away from her family to pursue her career abroad.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child glued to a TV screen; a parent must physically TEAR the child AWAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION/INTEREST IS A PHYSICAL BOND (that must be broken).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'tear /tɪə/ (n)' meaning 'слеза'.
- The Russian verb 'оторвать(ся)' is a close equivalent, but 'tear away' is more specific to forceful separation from an attractive source.
- Avoid translating as simple 'leave' ('уйти'); it misses the force/reluctance.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect particle order: 'tear from away' (X).
- Using it for calm departures: 'I tore away from the boring meeting' (sounds odd).
- Confusing spelling: 'tare away' (X).
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best illustrates the meaning of 'tear away'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'tear the poster away from the wall' or 'tear away the poster from the wall,' though the first is more common.
Yes, but typically in the reflexive form 'tear oneself away.' A non-reflexive intransitive use like 'He tore away from the crowd' is less common but possible, implying a sudden, forceful departure.
'Tear off' usually implies removing something by tearing (e.g., tear off a page, a label). 'Tear away' emphasizes the forceful separation from a place, person, or thing to which one was attached or stuck.
Yes, but it's a different, informal noun (chiefly British) meaning a reckless, unruly, often young person (e.g., 'a young tearaway'). It derives from the idea of someone who 'tears away' from control or convention.