rip into: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘rip into’ mean?
The idiom "rip into" means to criticize or attack someone or something harshly, often in a forceful or angry manner.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "rush in" means to enter or engage in something hastily or without considering the consequences.
The idiomatic phrase "rush in" is a commonly used expression in American English that dates back several centuries. It means to quickly enter a situation or take action without thinking or hesitating. This phrase is often used to convey spontaneity or impulsive behavior.
The idiom "run into the ground" means to exhaust or use up completely, often through overuse or mismanagement.
The idiom "rub in" means to emphasize or remind someone of something, often in a way that causes annoyance or embarrassment.
The idiom "roughen up" means to make something or someone rough or more aggressive, usually by adding force or intensity. It can also refer to making something appear more rugged or worn.
The idiom "rip to shreds" means to criticize or dismantle something or someone in a vehement and forceful manner.
The idiom "rip-snorting mad" means to be extremely angry or furious.
The idiom "rip off the band-aid" means to quickly and forcefully remove or address a problem or unpleasant situation, rather than prolonging or avoiding it, often causing a brief moment of pain or discomfort for a faster resolution.
The idiom "rip off" means to take or steal something from someone in a dishonest or unfair way, often by charging a much higher price for something than it is worth.
The idiom "ripen up" means to become ready or suitable for a particular situation or purpose, often implying the idea of reaching a desired level of maturity or readiness.
The idiom "ride roughshod over" means to act without caring about or considering the opinions, needs, or feelings of others, and to treat them in a harsh or unfair manner.
The idiom "ride roughshod over" is a commonly used expression in English. It conveys the idea of disregarding or ignoring the feelings, rights, or opinions of others and imposing one's own will or authority without any consideration for their well-being or concerns.
FAIL
The idiom "rip to shreds" is closely related to "rip into" and shares a similar meaning. It is also used to describe someone criticizing or attacking someone or something in a harsh or forceful manner. The phrase "rip to shreds" suggests tearing something apart completely, emphasizing the intensity and thoroughness of the criticism or attack.
The idiom "rip off" is another related phrase that has a slightly different meaning. It is used to describe someone being deceived or cheated, often in a financial context. The word "rip" in this context suggests forcefully taking something away or exploiting someone. While "rip into" focuses on criticizing or attacking, "rip off" focuses on the act of being deceived or cheated.
The idiom "cut to pieces" is also related to "rip into" and shares a similar figurative meaning. It is used to describe someone fiercely criticizing or dismantling someone or something. The phrase "cut to pieces" suggests chopping or slicing something into small, fragmented parts, symbolizing the thoroughness and intensity of the criticism or attack.
The idiom "bust one's chops" is a more informal and colloquial phrase that is related to "rip into" in terms of criticism or attack. It is used to describe someone teasing or mocking someone else in a playful or sarcastic manner. The phrase "bust one's chops" conveys the idea of playfully breaking down or challenging someone's ideas or opinions, often using humor or sarcasm.
Nipping at something, on the other hand, is not directly related to "rip into" in terms of meaning, but it shares a similar figurative sense of criticism or attack. When someone "nips at" something, it means they make small, sharp criticisms or attacks. It can be used to describe someone repeatedly making small verbal jabs or criticisms.
The idiom "rip into" is primarily used in American English to describe aggressive criticism or attack. It can be related to other idioms such as "rip to shreds," "rip off," "cut to pieces," "bust one's chops," and "nip at," which all convey various forms of criticism or attack with different shades of meaning. These idioms reflect the preference for direct, forceful language and confrontations in American English, but it is important to consider the appropriate context and potential aggression of these expressions.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *rip into* can be used in a sentence:
- My boss ripped into me for submitting the report late.
- My mother ripped into my brother for coming home past curfew.
- The teacher ripped into the students for not completing their homework.
More "Verb" idioms
