Tear Shapiro holds back (3)
I believe the answer is:
rip
'tear' is the definition.
(I know that rip is a more specific form of the action tear)
'shapiro holds back' is the wordplay.
'holds' indicates a hidden word.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'pir' can be found hidden inside 'shapiro'.
'pir' reversed gives 'RIP'.
(Other definitions for rip that I've seen before include "Letters on a grave stone" , "Rest in peace" , "Letters for the deceased" , "Louche character" , "Letters usually carved on gravestone" .)