noun
tearing limb from limb; dismemberment; cutting to pieces
Literally 'tearing into eight pieces'; a vivid expression for brutal dismemberment or tearing apart, often used figuratively for harsh criticism or destruction.
昔の刑罰には八つ裂きのような残酷なものもあった。
In the past, there were cruel punishments like tearing a person limb from limb.
彼の提案は会議で八つ裂きにされた。
His proposal was torn to pieces at the meeting.
Compound of 八つ (yatsu, 'eight') and 裂き (saki, 'tearing', from 裂く). The number eight may symbolize 'many' or 'completely', as in other expressions like 八方 (happō, 'all directions').