Collocations for "torn"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "torn" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
tear
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- tore a hole in my [sleeve, jacket]
- tore it to [pieces, shreds, smithereens]
- tore the [piece, sheet] of paper in [two, half, pieces]
- tore it into [little, tiny] pieces
- (have) torn [a muscle, my hamstring, a ligament]
- tear a page out of the [book, magazine]
- tear out [the page, a coupon, an article, an ad]
- tear off a [flyer, poster]
- tear your hair out (in horror)
- tear the [lovers, two] apart
- tear up the [ticket, contract, bill]
- tear down the [house, building]
- tear up the [lawn, house]
- tear the [lawn] up
- tear up the [street, parking lot]
- tear back [home, to the school, to work]
- tear down the [road, street]
- tear through the [town, streets]
- tear away from the [police, robbery]
- tear away [in a car, on a motorcycle]
- couldn't tear myself away from the [book, movie]
- tear up at the [thought, sight] of
- tearing up from the [book, movie]
- UK: (oops,) that's torn it!
- a [baby's, child's] tears
- the tears of a [baby, clown]
- [spoilt, hungry, tired] tears
- [burst into, shed, spill] tears
- shed a tear for [him, her father, the victims]
- didn't even shed a tear
- without even shedding a tear
- the [sight, loss, insult] reduced her to tears
- was reduced to tears [by, at] the [sight, thought] (of)
- tears washed away the [dirt, dust]
- tears were [rolling, flowing] down his [face, cheek]
- his face was awash [in, with] tears
- the tears made her [make-up, eyeliner] run
- tears filled his eyes
- tears of [joy, sadness, relief, sorrow]
- [cry, shed, just] crocodile tears
- a [muscle, ligament, joint] tear
- a tear in the [book, contract, jeans, fabric]
- there was a tear on the [page, document]
- have a [big, small] tear in my [jacket, pocket]
- got a tear in my [jacket]
- the [car, computer] is showing signs of wear and tear
- UK: the [shoppers, vandals, lottery winners] went on a tear
'torn' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):