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Tore Up

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "tore up" means broken or damaged when used literally, and deeply upset or distraught when used figuratively. It’s plain, heartfelt country talk.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country people use 'tore up' on a daily basis. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country people use 'tore up' on a daily basis. 

Pronunciation

[TORE up]

Meaning & Usage

- Broken or damaged (adjective phrase)

Mae:
What happened to the roof?
Earl:
It’s all tore up from the wind.

- Emotionally upset or distraught (adjective phrase, figurative)

Mae:
How’s your sister doin’?
Earl:
She’s still tore up about what happened.
variations: torn up
★ "Tore up" is one of those plain expressions that says a lot without being fancy. In the South, it carries more heart than just saying "upset" or "broken." ★

Origin and Etymology

A Southern and Appalachian variant of "torn up." Dropping "n" for "e" in the past tense is common in country speech, and the phrase stuck around in both literal and figurative senses.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard across the South and Appalachia. Most often used in family talk and storytelling when someone is badly shaken or something’s badly broken.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "tore up." In the South, "torn up" becomes "tore up" in everyday speech.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "tore up" always mean emotionally upset?
No - it can also mean something is broken or damaged.
Is it only Southern?
Strongest in Southern and Appalachian speech, though people elsewhere may understand it.
Do people still say it today?
Yes - especially in rural or family settings where plain speech carries on.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 6). Tore Up. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/tore-up
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Tore Up." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/tore-up.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Tore Up." HillbillySlang.com. September 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/tore-up.
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