Phrasal verb
rip into
Definition
phrasal verb. to criticize someone very strongly and angrily. You use this when someone is being very harsh or shouting at another person for a mistake.
phrasal verb. to attack or criticize someone or something in a forceful, aggressive, or vehement manner. Transitive; the object is the person or thing being criticized.
Examples
“The boss ripped into him for being late again.”
“After the team lost the game, the coach ripped into the players in the locker room for their lack of effort.”
“The lead editorial ripped into the government's latest economic policy, describing it as a short-sighted failure that ignored the needs of the working class.”
Examples
simple
“The boss ripped into him for being late again.”
contextual
“After the team lost the game, the coach ripped into the players in the locker room for their lack of effort.”
complex
“The lead editorial ripped into the government's latest economic policy, describing it as a short-sighted failure that ignored the needs of the working class.”
Usage
Always takes an object, which is the target of the criticism.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'criticize' (neutral) and 'tell off' (less aggressive); 'rip into' suggests a more intense, almost violent verbal attack.
Pitfall
He ripped into for the mistake.
He ripped into me for the mistake.
'rip into' is transitive and requires an object representing the person or thing being attacked.
Phrasal verb
Particles
into
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
rip + into + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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