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Phrasal verbs "pull away" vs "tear away"

Differences between pull away and tear away

Pull away usually means to move or remove something from a surface or a person, while tear away generally means to forcefully remove something from a surface or a person.

Meanings and Definitions: pull away vs tear away

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Pull away

  • 1When a vehicle moves from a place.

    The car PULLED AWAY from the lights at high speed.

Tear away

  • 1Stop someone doing something unwillingly.

    I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.

  • 2Remove a surface violently.

    The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.

Usage Examples: pull away, tear away in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

pull away

Example

The bus pulls away from the bus stop.

Example

She pulls away from the curb carefully.

tear away

Example

She had to tear away her son from the video game.

Example

He tears away the old wallpaper from the wall.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pull away

move away

To physically move or separate oneself or an object from a particular location or situation.

Example

She decided to move away from the city and live in a quieter town.

detach from

To separate or disconnect something from another object or surface.

Example

He tried to detach the sticker from his laptop without damaging it.

withdraw from

To remove oneself from a situation or relationship.

Example

She decided to withdraw from the project due to personal reasons.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Tear away

rip off

To forcefully remove or tear something from a surface or a person.

Example

He ripped off the band-aid from his arm, causing some pain.

snatch away

To quickly and forcefully take something away from someone or something.

Example

The thief snatched away her purse and ran away.

yank off

To pull or remove something with a quick and forceful motion.

Example

He yanked off the poster from the wall, tearing it in the process.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “pull”

Phrasal Verbs with “tear”

Differences in pull away vs tear away: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: pull away or tear away?

In daily conversation, people use pull away more often than tear away. This is because pull away is used for more common actions such as moving a car or removing a sticker. Tear away is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about forcefully removing something. So, while both phrases are used, pull away is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of pull away and tear away

Pull away and tear away are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of pull away and tear away

The tone of pull away and tear away can differ based on context. Pull away often carries a gentle or cautious tone when related to moving or separating objects, while tear away typically has a forceful and aggressive tone, especially when referring to removing something from a person or surface.

pull away & tear away: Synonyms and Antonyms

Pull away

Synonyms

Antonyms

Tear away

Synonyms

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