tear into (some place)
To enter some place extremely quickly. The kids tore into the house when their mother offered them some ice cream. The boss suddenly tore into the office in a huff, then left again just as quickly.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
tear into someone or something
to attack someone or something; to attack someone or something with the intent of eating someone or something. The wolves tore into the hunter and injured him severely. The kids tore into the cake and ate it all.
tear into someone
Fig. to scold someone severely; to attack someone with criticism. I was late, and the boss tore into me like a mad dog. I don't know why she tore into me. I was at work when the window was broken.
tear into something
Fig. to begin eating food with gusto. The family tore into the mountain of food like they hadn't eaten since breakfast—which was true, in fact. Jimmy tore into the turkey leg and cleaned it off in no time.
tear into some place
to run or race into a place. The kids tore into the house and knocked over a lamp. Kelly tore into the boss's office and put the papers on the desk.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
tear into
v. To attack someone or something with great vigor or violence: The bear tore into the meat. The boxer tore into his opponent at the match.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tear into a place
in. to run or rush into a place. I tore into the office and answered the phone.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.