tear down
/tɛər daʊn/
Meaning
To intentionally demolish or destroy a physical structure like a building or wall. Metaphorically, it can mean to dismantle an argument, concept, or someone's reputation through criticism.
Examples
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The city plans to tear down the old warehouse and build a park instead.
The city plans to tear down the old warehouse and build a park instead.
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They had to tear down the stage after the concert was over.
They had to tear down the stage after the concert was over.
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She used solid facts to completely tear down his argument during the debate.
She used solid facts to completely tear down his argument during the debate.
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It is much easier to tear down someone's reputation than to build it up.
It is much easier to tear down someone's reputation than to build it up.
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The old school building was torn down last summer.
The old school building was torn down last summer.
Common Mistakes
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✗ They will tear down the tree in the backyard.
✓ They will cut down the tree in the backyard.
'Tear down' is used for man-made structures, not natural elements like trees.
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✗ The storm tore down the house.
✓ The storm destroyed the house.
'Tear down' implies an intentional, deliberate act of demolition, whereas natural disasters 'destroy' or 'blow down' structures.
Related Expressions
Practice
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They are going to ___ the old factory to make room for new apartments.
💡 Demolish a building.
Show answer
tear down
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His main goal in the debate was to ___ his opponent's theory.
💡 Dismantle or disprove an argument.
Show answer
tear down