rip into

rip into

1. To violently pierce, puncture, or perforate someone. Shrapnel from the bomb ripped into the side of the airplane. Bullets ripped into him, tearing him to pieces. The kids ripped into the bag of candy, too excited to do it carefully.

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.

See also: rip

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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.

See also: rip

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."

See also: rip

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.

See also: rip

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.