(tr) to separate by tearing
(intr, adverb) to rush away; hurry
(tr, adverb) to produce in a hurry; do quickly and carelessly
to tear off a letter
informal to reprimand or rebuke someone forcibly
Produce hurriedly and casually, as in He tore off a poem a day for an entire month .
Leave in a hurry, as in She tore off to the store because it was about to close . [c. 1900]
First recorded in 1885–90; adj., noun use of verb phrase tear off
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For example, one poster said “If you are mad, think of positive thoughts”, and had tear-off strips reminding people to “Be happy”.
From NewsForKids.net • Mar. 22, 2022
The Martha Manual daily tear-off calendar features Martha Stewart’s organizing, cleaning, decorating and cooking tips, like how to soften butter, use leftover egg whites or paint a wall.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2021
The Corn Bowl recipe first appeared in the 1960s as a recipe tear-off sheet in retail grocery stores.
From Salon • Oct. 24, 2021
Because I was like, “Look, it might be funny if you’re struggling to rip it,” because I think we’ve all seen the tear-off.
From Slate • Feb. 12, 2021
There were four of them, stuck together in perfect two-inch square, perforated tear-off foil packets that were colorfully labeled in glossy blue print.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
