tear down

To destroy a building or other structure completely.

• They tore down the old house.
• We need to tear this wall down.
• Will they tear down the factory to build flats?

How to use it: tear down something (They plan to tear down the old factory.); tear something down (The workers tore the garage down.)

Similar words: demolish, knock down, pull down

Opposites: build

Common phrases: tear down a building, tear down a wall

To criticize someone harshly, damaging their confidence or reputation.

• Stop tearing me down.
• His boss tore him down in front of everyone.
• The campaign tried to tear down her reputation.

How to use it: tear someone down (Her constant insults tore him down.); tear down someone (The article tried to tear down her political rivals.)

Similar words: belittle, discredit, put down

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: tear down someone, tear down your rivals

To take a machine or device apart to examine or repair its parts.

• We tore down the engine.
• The technician will tear the device down to find the fault.
• Have you ever torn down a laptop?

How to use it: tear down something (The mechanic tore down the engine to inspect it.); tear something down (We tore the motor down and replaced the bearings.)

Similar words: disassemble, take apart, strip down

Opposites: assemble

Common phrases: tear down an engine, tear down a device

To move very fast along a road, passage, or other route.

• He tore down the road.
• The children came tearing down the corridor.
• A cyclist tore down the hill without braking.

How to use it: tear down something (A motorcycle tore down the street.)

Similar words: race down, speed down, rush down

Common phrases: tear down the road, tear down the street