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

They said they loved it, but both of them decided to break up with their girlfriends after reading the book.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

But this only tackles part of the problem, as it will not stop the tactic being used simply to break up the momentum of the other team.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Abel not surprisingly forcefully rejected the idea that Berkshire, the world’s biggest conglomerate, should break up, saying the company benefits from diversification and the ability to shift capital between businesses as opportunities arise.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

The hedge fund, which has a roughly 3.7% stake in Driven, had last month called on the company to launch a strategic review process and to explore a sale or break up, the Journal reported.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

I flushed hard and shoved more mush into my mouth to break up the smile that pushed its way onto my face.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

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