peel back
To remove something partially or fully (from something's surface) by peeling it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "peel" and "back." I love peeling back the protective plastic they put on the screens of brand new smartphones. Be careful when you peel those stickers back, or you could rip the paper.
peel something back (from something)
to lift something away from the surface of something. He peeled the sheets back from the bed and got in. He peeled back the sheets and got into the bed.