tearaway

[ tair-uh-wey ]

/ ˈtɛər əˌweɪ /

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adjective

designed to be easily separated or opened by tearing: a box with a tearaway seal.

noun

British. a wild, reckless person.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of tearaway

First recorded in 1825–35; adj., noun use of verb phrase tear away

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tearaway in a sentence

It also includes tear-away postcards your kids can send to their friends.
Make Your Kids Smarter in the Car|K. Emily Bond|July 31, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The old man turned to see that the dog was snuffing about the wall, and ended by beginning to tear away the sawdust at the bottom.
The Mynns' Mystery|George Manville Fenn
"Yes indeed," said Mrs. Orme, wiping a tear away from her eye as she thought of all the troubles present and to come.
Orley Farm|Anthony Trollope
Why did you ever fill my heart so full, and then come in like Death, and tear away the objects of my love?
The Cricket on the Hearth|Charles Dickens

Tear away these gilded fetters, and let the children of God have free course to run and be glorified.
A New Atmosphere|Gail Hamilton
I felt very sorry for her and so did Cousin Sue, whom I saw wiping a furtive tear away.
Vacation with the Tucker Twins|Nell Speed

British Dictionary definitions for tearaway

tear away

/ (tɛə) /

verb

(tr, adverb) to persuade (oneself or someone else) to leaveI couldn't tear myself away from the television

noun tearaway

British

a reckless impetuous unruly person
(as modifier)a tearaway young man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with tearaway

tear away

Remove oneself unwillingly or reluctantly, as in I couldn't tear myself away from that painting. [Late 1700s]