tear down

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tear down someone/something

to damage or reduce the importance of someone or something. In the end, she glamorizes the very concept she is trying to tear down. Many blame the media for tearing heroes down by publicizing their mistakes.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of tear down (= to cause a structure to fall)

See also: down, tear

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? References in classic literature
I am sure it will be a real pleasure to you to tear down the beautiful Emerald City, and in return for your valuable assistance we will allow you to bring back to your country ten thousand people of Oz, to be your slaves. The Emerald City of Oz by Baum, L. Frank View in context You actually mean he said he would tear down what took so many years of work to build? Dust by Haldeman, Julius Mr. and Mrs. View in context Then Milady attempted to tear down the doorcase, with a strength apparently above that of a woman; but finding she could not accomplish this, she in her fury stabbed at the door with her poniard, the point of which repeatedly glittered through the wood. The Three Musketeers by Dumas, Alexandre View in context More results

References in classic literature

I am sure it will be a real pleasure to you to tear down the beautiful Emerald City, and in return for your valuable assistance we will allow you to bring back to your country ten thousand people of Oz, to be your slaves.

The Emerald City of Oz by Baum, L. Frank View in context

You actually mean he said he would tear down what took so many years of work to build?

Dust by Haldeman, Julius Mr. and Mrs. View in context

Then Milady attempted to tear down the doorcase, with a strength apparently above that of a woman; but finding she could not accomplish this, she in her fury stabbed at the door with her poniard, the point of which repeatedly glittered through the wood.

The Three Musketeers by Dumas, Alexandre View in context

More results

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teach school
teacup
team up
tear
tear apart
tear at
tear away

tear down
tear hair
tear heart out
tear into
tear limb from limb
tear off
tear off a strip
tear/tug at heartstrings

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