Meaning trap
tear down
demolish (a building or structure)
To completely destroy or remove a building or structure, usually so that something else can be built in its place.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To completely destroy or remove a building or structure, usually so that something else can be built in its place.
Another meaning of 'tear down' is 'criticize harshly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
They decided to tear down the old cinema to make room for a new shopping center.
If I could change something in my city, I would tear down the abandoned factories and replace them with parks.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They want to tear down it.
Say: They want to tear it down.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'tear it down'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Tear down' is the everyday verb for knocking a building down; 'demolish' is more formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
tear down + structure
- the building
- the wall
- the old house
- the stadium
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- tear down (criticize harshly) — Another meaning of 'tear down' is 'criticize harshly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.