rip into (someone or something)
1. To violently pierce, puncture, or perforate someone or something. Shrapnel from the bomb ripped into the side of the airplane. Bullets ripped into him, tearing him to pieces.
2. To criticize or reproach someone or something in a severe and merciless manner. The boss ripped into me for how I bungled the Jefferson account. I can hear Mom ripping into Dad again about his gambling. A: "Have you heard anything about this movie we're about to see?" B: "Well, I've seen a few reviews that ripped into it, but I still think it's going to be great."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
rip into someone or something
1. Lit. to attack someone or something by ripping. The raccoons ripped into the trash bags, scattering papers and stuff all over the street. The horrid murderer ripped into the helpless victim.
2. Fig. to criticize or censure someone or something severely. The drama critic ripped into Larry. The critics really ripped into Larry's poor performance.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
rip into
Also, tear into. Attack or criticize vehemently, as in She ripped into her opponent's voting record. These expressions allude to the literal senses of the verbs rip and tear, that is, "cut" or "slash."
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
rip into
v.1. To attack someone or something with great vigor or violence; tear into: The lion ripped into the deer carcass.
2. To criticize someone or something vehemently: The candidate ripped into her opponent's political record.
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.