Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context transitive English) (&lit tear apart English) 2 (context transitive English) to destroy 3 (context idiomatic transitive English) to cause to separate 4 (context transitive figuratively English) to severely defeat
WordNet
Usage examples of "tear apart".
The moment one tries to free him, the internal organs tear apart and the lungs flood with blood.
When Qeteb rises he will tear these forests apart as a child will tear apart a pastry tart.
That will be my recompense to you for my stupidity in betraying you to Theseus and my payment to you for giving me the power to tear apart Theseus and all he stands for.
What manner of woman d'you lie with, wizard, that she can tear apart pit fiends without even slowing?
Did he think I would take offense and tear apart his place of business?
My father will kill you -- and my grandfather will tear apart what's left and feed it to the carrion crows.
Spray dashed across all heads and the two halves seemed as if they must tear apart.
You just chose to tear apart the life she's starting to build again with no thought to what it might do to her.
The pain of a lifetime of lies grew with each step until his rage threatened to tear apart what was left of his self-restraint.