strappare
to tear
verb strahp-PAH-reh Rare
Origin: From a Germanic root related to Old High German straffon (to tighten).
Also means
to snatch
Usage Note
Strappare means to rip or tear something (strappare un foglio — to tear a sheet of paper) but also to snatch or wrest away from someone (strappare la vittoria — to snatch victory). The reflexive strapparsi un muscolo means 'to pull a muscle.' It takes avere as its auxiliary, but strapparsi (reflexive) uses essere.
Examples
"Ha strappato la lettera in mille pezzi."
Natural Translation
He tore the letter into a thousand pieces.
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