break up

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

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

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]

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

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]

Example Sentences

London-based Corinne says she was inspired to turn to AI after hearing her housemate talk positively about using it for dating advice, including how to break up with someone.

From BBC

The Democrats’ demands would fund “free healthcare for illegals,” Vice-President Vance said Monday, after a meeting of GOP and Democratic congressional leaders at the White House broke up without a compromise.

From Los Angeles Times

When President Cleveland sent troops to break up a railroad strike and tamp down mob violence against Chinese immigrants, he invoked the Insurrection Act.

From Los Angeles Times

“Are you trying to break up with me?”

From Los Angeles Times

When the group broke up around 1996, Armisen took on gigs as a background drummer for the Blue Man Group and even formed a salsa band.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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