5

I came across the phrase ‘tear a piece out of' Obama in the debate’ in the following statement in the article titled “Obama Math: Obama Math: 8.1 + 13,300 + 50 = 270” in New Yorker magazine (September 10):

“Of course, something could still happen to change the polling dynamics. Romney could tear a piece out of Obama in the debates; the tsunami of negative ads the Republicans are about to unleash could conceivably turn around some Obama-leaning states; there could be an “October surprise.” As of now, though, there is no sign of Romney getting the surge he needs.”

I guess ‘tear a piece out of” means to snatch an advantage out of, or take the lead to somebody (If my interpretation is wrong, please correct me), but I can’t find this phrase as an idiom in any of dictionaries at hand.

What does 'a piece' represent for? I mean 'a piece of' what? Is “tear a piece out of”somebody / something a popular idiom, or just a set of words?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
10

What you are "tearing a piece out of: is their flesh, literally or figuratively. In figurative use it means to damage an opponent, to 'draw blood' (another similar figure of speech), or in short: to wound. It's a metaphor of tooth and claw.

Its use is not exactly common, but neither is it rare.

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    Where I live, "tear a strip off sb" is more common. This Ngram suggests it is universal, and this one that "tear a piece out of sb" is almost unused in British English.
    – Roaring Fish
    Sep 11, 2012 at 6:47
  • @RoaringFish I find these differences fascinating - for my part, I've never heard the "strip" variation over here in the States. Regarding the Ngrams, I'm not certain they can differentiate between tearing a strip of somebody vs. something, alas.
    – Mark Beadles
    Sep 11, 2012 at 12:43

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.