Tear/rip the heart out of something
verb
To remove the most important or central part of something, often causing it to fail or be destroyed.
Closing down the park would rip the heart out of the community.
Often appears as...
- rip the heart out of the community
- rip the heart out of the team
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To cause someone intense emotional pain or distress.
Her cruelty ripped the heart out of him.
Often appears as...
- rip the heart out of him
- tear the heart out of her
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To remove the most important or central part of something, often causing it to fail or be destroyed.
Closing down the park would rip the heart out of the community.
Often appears as...
- rip the heart out of the community
- rip the heart out of the team
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To cause someone intense emotional pain or distress.
Her cruelty ripped the heart out of him.
Often appears as...
- rip the heart out of him
- tear the heart out of her
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical heart
Understand 'heart' as the most vital part, not the actual organ.
Selling off the old library would tear the heart out of our town's history.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotionally charged
The phrase usually suggests strong emotions, like sadness or anger.
The sudden resignation of our CEO has ripped the heart out of the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative use
Remember it's a figure of speech, not to be taken literally.
Replacing the old staff could rip the heart out of the team's spirit.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical heart
Understand 'heart' as the most vital part, not the actual organ.
Selling off the old library would tear the heart out of our town's history.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotionally charged
The phrase usually suggests strong emotions, like sadness or anger.
The sudden resignation of our CEO has ripped the heart out of the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative use
Remember it's a figure of speech, not to be taken literally.
Replacing the old staff could rip the heart out of the team's spirit.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical heart
Understand 'heart' as the most vital part, not the actual organ.
Selling off the old library would tear the heart out of our town's history.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotionally charged
The phrase usually suggests strong emotions, like sadness or anger.
The sudden resignation of our CEO has ripped the heart out of the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative use
Remember it's a figure of speech, not to be taken literally.
Replacing the old staff could rip the heart out of the team's spirit.
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