rip/tear the heart out of something

rip the heart out of (something)

To remove, destroy, devastate, or totally undermine some essential or important aspect of something. This move by the government is going to force a lot of factories to close and rip the heart out of communities around the country. Senators added a number of amendments meant to rip the heart out of the tax bill.
See also: heart, of, out, rip
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌrip/ˌtear the ˈheart out of something

destroy the most important part or aspect of something: Protestors say that closing the factory will tear the heart out of the local economy.
See also: heart, of, out, rip, something, tear
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • rip the heart out of (something)
  • tear the heart out of (something)
  • bright side
  • hand (one) (one's) head
  • get to the heart of
  • get to the heart of (something)
  • down to (someone or something)
  • down to somebody/something
  • consist
  • consist in (something)