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

Penelope keenly wanted to glance at the envelope to see if it was, in fact, from Simon, but she dared not in front of Lady Constance, who looked as if she might tear it to shreds with her teeth.

From Literature

“It’s time to tear it down and move forward.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

The Crown Estate Commission gave her permission to tear it down and rebuild in the iconic red brick Georgian style that remains today.

From BBC

Milstein, a wealthy real estate heiress, and Bank, a reality TV producer with credits including “The Apprentice” and “Survivor,” bought the home for $8.35 million in 2023 with plans to tear it down.

From Los Angeles Times