Torn up
Meaning: Very upset, distraught, or emotionally devastated about something.
'Torn up' describes deep emotional pain — the kind that feels like something inside you has been ripped apart. It's used for grief, guilt, heartbreak, and situations where the pain is real and raw. Stronger than 'upset' or 'bothered,' it implies genuine emotional suffering.
Examples
- She was torn up about the breakup — she cried for days. 她因为分手难过得不行——哭了好几天。Estaba destrozada por la ruptura — lloró durante días.彼女は別れのことでひどく落ち込んでいて、何日も泣いていた。그녀는 이별 때문에 심하게 괴로워했다 — 며칠 동안 울었다.
- I'm torn up about missing my daughter's recital because of work. 因为工作错过了女儿的演出,我心里真的很难受。Estoy hecho polvo por haberme perdido el recital de mi hija por culpa del trabajo.仕事のせいで娘の発表会に行けなくて、本当につらい。일 때문에 딸의 발표회에 못 가서 정말 마음이 찢어진다.
- He was absolutely torn up after they had to put the dog down. 不得不让狗安乐死之后,他完全崩溃了。Él estaba completamente destrozado después de que tuvieran que sacrificar al perro.犬を安楽死させなければならなかった後、彼は完全に打ちのめされていた。강아지를 안락사시켜야 했던 후 그는 완전히 무너졌다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: grief, guilt, heartbreak, regret
Tone: sympathetic, raw
✓ Do Say
- I'm torn up about it.I'm torn up about it.(这件事让我很难受。)I'm torn up about it. (Estoy destrozado por eso.)本当につらいんだ。그 일 때문에 마음이 너무 아파.
- She was really torn up.She was really torn up.(她真的很崩溃。)She was really torn up. (Ella estaba realmente deshecha.)彼女はかなり参っていたよ。그녀는 정말 많이 힘들어했어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use for minor disappointments — 'torn up' implies real emotional pain别用于小失望——'torn up'暗示的是真正的情感痛苦。No lo uses para decepciones menores — 'torn up' implica un dolor emocional real.ちょっとした失望には使わない——「torn up」は本物の感情的な痛みを意味する사소한 실망에는 사용하지 말 것 — 'torn up'은 진짜 감정적 고통을 암시한다.
Origin & History
From the physical metaphor of being torn or ripped apart. In common American usage since the early-to-mid 20th century, expressing the visceral quality of deep emotional pain.
Cultural Context
Era: Early-to-mid 20th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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