tears, tore, torn, tearing
to tear apart
phrasal verb
To cause emotional distress or upset
- 1The news of the accident tore her apart.
- 2He was torn apart by the breakup.
When something makes you feel very sad, worried, or hurt inside, it can make your heart feel broken. For example, hearing bad news about someone you love can make you feel this way. It is a strong feeling that is hard to forget or ignore.
People often use "tear apart" when talking about breakups or family arguments, because these situations can cause deep emotional pain and sadness.
Marks every word in this card as Known in your Word Bank. Words you selected as To Study are skipped. You can change any word later in your Word Bank.
in a hospital waiting room
The Difficult News
Paul
I just heard about the accident, and it's tearing me apart.
Christopher
I know, it's been really hard on everyone.
Paul
I can't stop thinking about how it must be for his family.
Christopher
Yeah, it's a tough situation for all of us.
at the library
Unexpected News
Michael
I just heard about Sarah's situation, and it's really tearing me apart.
Laura
I know, it's been hard on everyone who cares about her.
Michael
I can't stop thinking about how she's handling all this.
Laura
We should find a way to support her during this tough time.
Show More…
Similar to "to tear apart":
- 1upset
- 2distress