What does “tearing something off” mean?

Rebecca

To "tear off" something means to remove it by ripping it or pulling it and causing it to break off. The verb "tear" is normally used for things that can be ripped with someone's hands and without the use of a tool, like paper or another object of a thin material. Ex: She tore off the paper from her notebook and handed it to me. Ex: Tear off the price tag of the gift before you give it to her.