# rip into

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rip-into
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to criticize someone very strongly and angrily. You use this when someone is being very harsh or shouting at another person for a mistake.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He ripped into for the mistake." but "He ripped into me for the mistake." — 'rip into' is transitive and requires an object representing the person or thing being attacked.

## Usage notes

- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.