tear off

To remove something by pulling it hard enough to break it away.

• Tear off a small piece of paper.
• He tore the sleeve off his shirt.
• I tore it off before opening the box.

How to use it: tear something off something (She tore the label off the bottle.)

Similar words: rip off

Common phrases: tear off something, tear off a label, tear something off

To come away from something because the connecting material breaks.

• The loose corner tore off.
• A page tore off the calendar when it fell.
• The sleeve tore off as he pulled his arm free.

How to use it: tear off something (The loose flap tore off the envelope.)

Similar words: rip off, come off

Common phrases: tear off easily, tear off completely, tear off something

To leave very quickly, usually running or driving.

• He tore off without saying goodbye.
• The car tore off down the road.
• Why did she tear off so suddenly?

How to use it: tear off down something (The rider tore off down the street.)

Similar words: rush off, dash off, speed away

Common phrases: tear off home, tear off quickly, tear off down

To remove all the old covering from a roof, leaving the wooden surface beneath.

• They will tear off the old roofing.
• The workers tore off every layer before replacing the shingles.
• Should we tear off the roof covering first?

Similar words: strip

Common phrases: tear off roofing, tear off shingles, tear off something