tear down — to destroy or demolish a building or structure
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to destroy or demolish a building or structure
Pronunciation (IPA): /tɪr daʊn/
Example Sentences
- My neighbor decided to tear down his house to build a swimming pool, but now he lives in a tent in his backyard.
- The city council voted to tear down the historic theater.
- She tried to tear down my confidence, but I'm like a rubber ball - I bounce back!
tear down
VERB[/tɪr daʊn/]
to destroy or demolish a building or structure
Workers tear down the old brick warehouse to make room for a new park.
Tear down the walls, gear down the crane, wear down till nothing remains!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrasal verb 'tear down' combines Old English 'teran' (meaning 'to rip, pull apart') with 'down' (meaning 'downward'). The compound emerged to describe the action of ripping or pulling something downward, eventually acquiring the meaning 'to demolish or dismantle a structure'.
Breakdown
tear (from Old English 'teran': to rip, pull apart) + down (adverb: downward direction), creating a phrasal verb meaning 'to demolish or dismantle'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My neighbor decided to tear down his house to build a swimming pool, but now he lives in a tent in his backyard.”
“The city council voted to tear down the historic theater.”
“She tried to tear down my confidence, but I'm like a rubber ball - I bounce back!”
“The company plans to tear down the old warehouse next month.”
📚Related Words
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