tearing off

Verb

tear off (third-person singular simple present tears off, present participle tearing off, simple past tore off, past participle torn off)

1. (transitive) To rip away from; to pull a piece from forcibly.
   • Do not tear off the price tag if you want to return that shirt.

   Synonyms:

   detach

2. (intransitive) To become detached by tearing or ripping.

   Synonyms:

   remove, rip off

3. (intransitive) To leave or depart rapidly.
   • The fugitive tore off down the alley.

   Synonyms:

   flee

4. (transitive) To remove all of a roof (shingles, etc.) down to the wood deck.