rip into

Idioms  

1. 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.”

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Example Sentences

But let her sit at the piano to rip into some of the Beethoven sonatas and something astonishing emerges.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

There, employees load the containers up with food and test their strength by allowing live grizzly bears to try to rip into them.

From BBC • May 3, 2023

Like other moray eels, he had two sets of jaws and an abundance of teeth, which he used to rip into the fish fillets doled out for dinner.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2022

A group of families impacted by the attacks, known as 9/11 Justice, is running ads that rip into Mr. Trump and other participants at the Bedminster tourney.

From Washington Times • Jul. 29, 2022

When Mr. Breland had his turn to ask Willie questions, he looked like a bull about to rip into a poor old fanner, and Willie looked scared.

From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe

Related Words

• assail
• berate
• castigate
• excoriate
• scold
• upbraid