Tear apart Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Total Destruction Use 'tear apart' to describe something being completely destroyed, not just damaged. The earthquake could tear apart the bridge. Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact This phrase often implies an emotional reaction to the destruction. Seeing her childhood home torn apart by the storm brought tears to her eyes. Pro Tip 3/3Strong Visual Creates a strong visual of something being split into pieces. The machine tore apart the car for recycling.