rip

rip¹

verb (rips, ripping, ripped)

1》 tear or pull forcibly away from something or someone.

    ↘tear.

    ↘(rip something up) tear something into small pieces.

2》 move forcefully and rapidly.

3》 (rip into) informal make a vehement verbal attack on.

4》 (rip someone off) informal cheat someone, especially financially.

    ↘(rip something off) informal steal or plagiarize something.

5》 Computing use a program to copy (data on a compact disc) on to a computer's hard drive.

noun

1》 a long tear or cut.

2》 N. Amer. informal a fraud or swindle.

Phrases

let rip informal proceed vigorously or without restraint.

↘express oneself vehemently.

Origin

ME (as v.): of unknown origin; cf. reap.

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rip²

noun a stretch of fast-flowing and rough water caused by the meeting of currents.

Origin

C18: perh. related to rip¹.

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rip³

noun informal, dated

1》 an immoral or unpleasant person.

    ↘a mischievous child.

2》 a worthless horse.

Origin

C18: perh. from rep, abbrev. of reprobate.