split off
When one part breaks away and becomes separate from a bigger thing
Meanings
Of a piece or fragment, to become detached from a larger whole
"A large chunk of ice had split off from the glacier and drifted into the sea."
Of a group or organization, to separate and become independent from a larger body
"A group of progressive members split off from the main party to form their own movement."
To separate a part of something (such as a business unit) deliberately
"The company split off its retail division and listed it on the stock exchange."
Used for physical separation (a piece breaking off) and social/organizational separation (a group forming independently). Common in politics, geology, and biology. Can be transitive ('they split off a division of the company') or intransitive ('a faction split off from the party').
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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