Meaning trap
tear down
criticize harshly
To strongly criticize someone or something, often in a way that makes them feel less confident or respected.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To strongly criticize someone or something, often in a way that makes them feel less confident or respected.
Another meaning of 'tear down' is 'demolish (a building or structure)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Instead of supporting her, he always tries to tear down her ideas in meetings.
Some people believe that teachers should encourage students rather than tear them down for making mistakes.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He tore down me in front of everyone.
Say: He tore me down in front of everyone.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'tear me down'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Tear someone down' is the punchy spoken verb for cutting someone down; 'disparage' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
tear down + person
- her
- others
- your confidence
- people
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- tear down (demolish (a building or structure)) — Another meaning of 'tear down' is 'demolish (a building or structure)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.