What is tear up?

Tear up is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of ripping or tearing something into small pieces, or the emotional act of crying uncontrollably. It can be used in different contexts such as tearing up documents, tearing up old clothes to make rags, tearing up a lawn to install a garden, or tearing up a paper in frustration. In terms of emotions, tear up can refer to a person becoming overwhelmed with sadness or joy, resulting in tears running down their face. The expression is commonly used in literature, movies, and other forms of art, depicting a range of emotions from breaking down in sorrow to feeling uplifted with happiness.