tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds
idiom
: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way
They tore my idea to pieces.
The actress was torn to shreds in the press.
Examples of tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then sit back and watch the Swifties unleash their fury and tear to shreds the Gordian knot that was once catastrophic global warming.
—
Ivan Ehlers, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2023
And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale! Coincidence?
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 11 Aug. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ivan Ehlers, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2023
And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale! Coincidence?
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 11 Aug. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds
tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds
Cite this Entry
“Tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20%28someone%20or%20something%29%20to%20pieces%2Fshreds. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share