1 A2 neutral
To separate something into parts or portions.
"We divided up the project into three sections for each team member."
separable
divide up
A2 neutral separable transitive
To separate something into parts and distribute those parts among people or groups.
In plain English
To cut something into pieces and give each person their part.
What does "divide up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To share money, profits, or resources among a group of people.
"After the sale, they divided up the proceeds equally."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To separate a territory or space into distinct sections.
"After the war, the victorious powers divided up the territory among themselves."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To divide something fully until all parts are accounted for.
Actually means
To cut something into pieces and give each person their part.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. 'Up' adds a sense of completeness — everything is divided, nothing is left undivided. Used for physical things, tasks, money, land, and time.
Words that pair with "divide up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
work money land tasks profits responsibilities
How to conjugate "divide up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
divide up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
divides up
he/she/it
Past simple
divided up
yesterday
Past participle
divided up
have + pp
-ing form
dividing up
continuous
Hear "divide up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "divide up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "divide up"
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Keep exploring
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