Tear up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈtɛɹ/, /ˈtɪɹ/ /ˈəp

TAIR-up or TIR-up

UK

tɛə/ /ˈʌp

TAIR-up

Definition

To rip something into pieces, or to become emotional enough that your eyes fill with tears.

Usage & Nuances

'Tear up' can mean physically ripping paper or similar material, or starting to cry a little (not full sobbing). The context usually makes the meaning clear. Often used in the past tense ('tore up') or as 'started to tear up' for getting emotional.

• Spanish: romper - hacer pedazos - emocionarse hasta las lágrimas
• Portuguese (BR): rasgar - rasgar em pedaços - começar a chorar
• Portuguese (PT): rasgar - rasgar em pedaços - começar a chorar
• Chinese (Simplified): 撕碎 - 哭了起来
• Chinese (Traditional): 撕碎 - 哭了起來
• Hindi: फाड़ देना - आँसू आ जाना
• Arabic: يمزّق - يدمع (العينان من التأثر)
• Bengali: ছিঁড়ে ফেলা - চোখে জল আসা
• Russian: порвать - прослезиться
• Japanese: 破る - 目に涙が浮かぶ
• Vietnamese: xé ra - rưng rưng (sắp khóc)
• Korean: 찢다 - 눈물이 고이다
• Turkish: yırtmak - duygulanmak (gözleri dolmak)
• Urdu: پھاڑ دینا - آنکھوں میں آنسو آنا
• Indonesian: merobekkan - hampir menangis

Example Sentences

He tore up the letter after reading it.

basic

Sometimes I tear up when I watch sad movies.

basic

Please don’t tear up your homework.

basic

When she saw the puppy, she started to tear up.

natural

My mom teared up at my graduation ceremony.

natural

He was so frustrated that he just tore up the contract.

natural