rip apart
phrasal verb
ripped apart;
ripping apart;
rips apart
Definition of rip apart
1
: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
The child ripped the toy apart. Strong winds had ripped apart many of the little beach bungalows.
—often used figuratively a tragedy/scandal that almost ripped the family apart
2
: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.
Critics ripped the author's latest novel apart. an article that rips apart the mayor's plan