tear up

US /ter ʌp/
UK /ter ʌp/
"tear up" picture
1.

to rip or shred something into pieces

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She decided to tear up the old letters.
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The dog will tear up the newspaper if you leave it on the floor.
:
shredripdestroydismantledemolish
2.

to become filled with tears; to start crying

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Her eyes began to tear up as she listened to the sad song.
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He tried to hold back, but he could feel himself tearing up.
:
well upget misty-eyedget teary
:
teartear ducttear downtear awaytear apartcrocodile tearsblood, sweat, and tears