What does "split up" mean (sense 1)?

Of a couple or romantic partners, to end their relationship Example: "Maria and her boyfriend split up after a long argument about their future."

What does "split up" mean (sense 2)?

To divide a group of people or things into smaller parts Example: "The teacher split the class up into four groups for the project."

What does "split up" mean (sense 3)?

To separate and go in different directions, especially to cover more ground Example: "The search party split up to cover the forest more quickly."

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split up

B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive

To end a romantic relationship, or to divide a group into smaller parts

In plain English

When a couple stops being together, or when a group divides into smaller groups

What does "split up" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 informal

very common

Of a couple or romantic partners, to end their relationship

"Maria and her boyfriend split up after a long argument about their future."

“

We were together for two years, and then we just split up.

inseparable

2 A2 neutral

very common

To divide a group of people or things into smaller parts

"The teacher split the class up into four groups for the project."

separable

3 B1 neutral

common

To separate and go in different directions, especially to cover more ground

"The search party split up to cover the forest more quickly."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To split in an upward/outward motion — metaphor of division, semi-transparent

Actually means

When a couple stops being together, or when a group divides into smaller groups

Usage tip

Has two main senses: (1) ending a romantic relationship ('they split up after three years') and (2) dividing a group or thing into parts ('let's split up into teams'). The relationship sense is very common in everyday conversation. Separability applies to the 'divide' sense ('split the class up into groups').

Words that pair with "split up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

couple band team class group partners

How to conjugate "split up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

split up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

splits up

he/she/it

Past simple

splited up

yesterday

Past participle

splited up

have + pp

-ing form

spliting up

continuous

Hear "split up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "split up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "split up"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

break up call it quits divide up go separate ways part ways separate

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "split" All phrasal verbs with "up" More B1-level phrasal verbs