break up
to end, split into parts, or make people go away from each other
Meanings
if a romantic relationship ends, the two people stop being together
"They broke up after five years together."
to separate something into smaller pieces or parts
"Break the bread up and put it in a bowl."
to make a group stop being together, especially by ending a fight or gathering
"The police arrived to break up the crowd."
if a sound, picture, or signal breaks up, it becomes unclear because it is interrupted
"Your voice is breaking up, so I'll call you back."
Very common in everyday English, especially for romantic relationships, schools closing for holidays, poor phone signals, and dividing objects or groups.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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