Definition of "tear up" []

• To tear into pieces. (verb)
• To damage. (verb)
• To succeed dramatically in (an area of endeavor) or against. (verb)
• To shed tears. (verb)
• To wrench out of the ground. (verb)

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• "They admitted the bleomycin would tear up his lungs and that even if he recovered, he would likely never be able to race again."
• "But divil a bit will I let ye tear up my fine kitchen floor for the likes of a chicken."
• "As his secretaries would glance into his room, there they would see the Ambassador bending over his desk-writing, writing, eternally writing; sometimes he would call them in, and read what he had written, never hesitating to tear up the paper if their unfavourable criticisms seemed to him well taken."