tear away

/ tɛə /

verb

1. tr, adverb to persuade (oneself or someone else) to leave

   I couldn't tear myself away from the television

noun

1. 1. a reckless impetuous unruly person
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tearaway young man

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

It also includes tear-away postcards your kids can send to their friends.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

"Yes indeed," said Mrs. Orme, wiping a tear away from her eye as she thought of all the troubles present and to come.

From Project Gutenberg

Why did you ever fill my heart so full, and then come in like Death, and tear away the objects of my love?

From Project Gutenberg

Tear away these gilded fetters, and let the children of God have free course to run and be glorified.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt very sorry for her and so did Cousin Sue, whom I saw wiping a furtive tear away.

From Project Gutenberg