tear it

Idioms  

1. Ruin something, spoil one's chances, as in She knew she'd torn it when she lost the address. It is often put as that tears it, as in He's a whole week late—well, that tears it for the September issue. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

In the 1980s, plans to tear it down and build a mall sparked a local uprising to save the historic symbol of the neighborhood’s vibrancy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Their latest attempt to rectify that situation with Justin Fields has gone so disastrously that general manager Darren Mougey, in his first year in charge, felt compelled to tear it all down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

Don’t overthink it — tear it open and let it fall into the tomato, the creamy stracciatella spilling into every crevice.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2025

Acquire a property, tear it down, rebuild and win.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2025

When Hatsue’s sister Sumiko saw the envelope with Ish- mael’s false return address—Journalism Class, San Piedro High School—she did not resist her urge to tear it open.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson