break up

British  

verb

1. to separate or cause to separate

2. to put an end to (a relationship) or (of a relationship) to come to an end

3. to dissolve or cause to dissolve; disrupt or be disrupted

   the meeting broke up at noon

4. (intr) (of a school) to close for the holidays

5. (intr) (of a person making a telephone call) to be inaudible at times, owing to variations in the signal

   you're breaking up

6. informal to lose or cause to lose control of the emotions

   the news of his death broke her up

7. slang to be or cause to be overcome with laughter

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noun

1. a separation or disintegration

2. 1. in the Canadian north, the breaking up of the ice on a body of water that marks the beginning of spring

   2. this season

break up Idioms  

1. Divide into many pieces; disintegrate. For example, Now break up the head of garlic into separate cloves . [Mid-1700s]

2. Interrupt the continuity of something, as in A short walk will break up the long morning .

3. Also, break it up . Scatter, disperse, as in The crowd broke up as soon as they reached the streets . [Late 1400s] This phrase is also used as an imperative, as in “Break it up!” shouted the police officer . [c. 1930]

4. Bring or come to an end, as in His gambling was bound to break up their marriage .

5. Also, break someone up . Burst into or cause one to burst into an expression of feeling, such as laughter or tears. For example, His jokes always break me up , or That touching eulogy broke us all up , or I looked at her and just broke up . The precise meaning depends on the context. This sense grew out of a usage from the early 1800s that meant “upset” or “disturb.” [ Colloquial ; early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

He said the "factual account" of what happened when the story emerged was laid out in his book, Break-Up, which he co-wrote with journalist Kieran Andrews.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2025

Over the years, she's starred in hilarious films like "We're the Millers," "The Break-Up," "Horrible Bosses," and the list goes on.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2021

Jennifer Aniston, 51, starred alongside Vince Vaughn, 50, in 2006's "The Break-Up."

From Fox News • Jan. 13, 2021

In more recent years, the actor-producer has been an executive producer for the series "Sullivan & Son" and "Pursuit of the Truth" and such films as "Iron Man" and "The Break-Up."

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2015

Her Vince Vaughn romantic comedy-drama The Break-Up debuted with £2.41m in July 2006.

From The Guardian • Mar. 23, 2010

Related Words

• adjourn
• disband
• dismantle
• disperse
• disrupt
• dissolve
• divide
• halt
• put an end to
• separate
• split
• stop
• suspend
• terminate