The phrase "study at tear" is often misspelled as "study at tier" due to the similar sound of the two words. However, the correct spelling is "tear," which is pronounced /tɛr/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This word refers to a rip or a drop of water from the eyes. When used in the phrase "study at tear," it means to study diligently or with great effort, as if tearing through the material being studied. It is important to pay attention to the correct spelling of homophones to avoid confusion in communication.