tear into

/ tɛə /

verb

1. informal,  (intr, preposition) to attack vigorously and damagingly

Idioms and Phrases

see rip into.

Example Sentences

The infestation is called myiasis and, if left untreated, can cause serious damage and can even prove fatal as the larvae tear into the tissue with sharp mouth hooks.

From BBC

Politicians from Sacramento to Washington know he isn’t afraid to tear into them if he thinks they’re too timid to publicly call out xenophobia or support laws that protect the undocumented.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunter Biden did not hold back his views on the Democratic Party in a recent interview with Channel 5, tearing into party leadership, strategists, and the media alike.

From Salon

It’s hard to imagine Congressman Gill objecting to someone tearing into a brisket sandwich at a backyard cookout.

From Salon

"As I got that phone call, it was like my heart just got ripped in half straight away and slowly along the drive it was tearing into smaller pieces," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• assail 
• berate 
• damn 
• decry 
• defame 
• denigrate 
• denounce 
• disparage 
• malign 
• mistreat 
• revile 
• slander 
• smear