tear away

/ tɛə /

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to persuade (oneself or someone else) to leave

   I couldn't tear myself away from the television

noun

1. 1. a reckless impetuous unruly person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a tearaway young man

Idioms and Phrases

Remove oneself unwillingly or reluctantly, as in I couldn't tear myself away from that painting. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members.

From BBC

Indian wildlife photographer Sachin Rai still remembers tigress "Arrowhead" pouncing on a crocodile and tearing away its leathery flesh with her teeth.

From BBC

Because she was wearing a robe with nothing underneath, she thought he was going to assault her, Kim later told Letterman, wiping tears away.

From BBC

Once you tear away at the protections and pillars of a democratic system, things can convert very quickly, and you start getting truly unhinged legislatures.

From Salon

As the bus starts moving, people wave through the windows and wipe their tears away.

From BBC