英语翻译技巧|On a tear?

Reader question: In this sentence Oil is not the only commodity on a tear what does on a tear mean?

My comments:

That sentence means oil prices have been running high and staying high for some time. But it's not the only commodity on a roll. Other commodities are also on a price increasing spree.

On a tear, according to my tentative conclusion from limited research, is a phrase that originates in Ireland where, among other things, people drink a lot. Originally, people who are said to be on a tear are actually on a binge, or a drinking spree, that is, drinking continuously and perhaps in quantities more than they can competently cope.

Actually, I'm not so sure that on a tear did originate in Ireland. I'm just very sure that the Irish do seem to give the impression that they drink a lot, and get drunk too. And what happens if people get drunk? They are beyond reason. They are out of control. They run wild . For oil to be on a tear, therefore, is for it to keep fetching exorbitant^{1 prices. This week, oil prices hit US$88 per barrel in other words, very high.}

In non-drinking occasions, on a tear is similar to the American idiom on a roll, the roll being perhaps the roll of the dice^{2 in gambling3. If a player keeps getting the dice to roll his way, he keeps having lucky breaks , hence the term.}

Here are a few media examples:

1. Shares on a tear in Vietnam

HANOI Up 145% last year and rising another 40% so far this year, can Vietnam sustain its spectacular stock market rally?

- Asia Times online, April 19, 2007.

2. Gold is on a tear, but where are investors^5?

Gold closed at $449 an ounce Wednesday, up 76% from its February 2001 low of $255. The yellow metal has gained 8% this year, vs. 6.3% for the Standard Poor's 500-stock index. And gold funds, which invest mainly in gold-mining stocks, have been the TOP-performing mutual^{6 fund category the past five years, jumping 154%, vs. 11% for the average stock fund.}

But investors have yawned.

- USA Today online, November 26, 2004.

3. Apple on a tear

Apple has become quite the investor^{4 darling. Since June 9, the company's stock has risen to three new 52-week highs.}

- money.cnn.com, June 21, 2004.