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Definition break up in British English

break up phrasal verb

phrasal verb
1

to break something to make smaller pieces

Example

Break the chocolate up into squares.

Synonyms and related words
break fall apart shatter
1.1

if something breaks up, it breaks into smaller pieces

Example

The plane broke up in mid-air.

Synonyms and related words
break fall apart shatter
2

if a relationship breaks up, it ends

Example

The marriage broke up just a few years later.

Example

There were suggestions that her involvement had broken up the partnership.

Synonyms and related words
defriend unfriend break off
2.1

if two people break up, they end their relationship

Example

He's just broken up with his girlfriend.

Synonyms and related words
defriend unfriend break off
3

if a meeting or other event breaks up, or if you break it up, it ends and people leave

Example

The talks didn't break up until after midnight.

Example

Sorry to break up the party, but I have to go.

Synonyms and related words
come to an end pass run out
4

to stop a fight

Example

The police were called in to break up the rioters.

5

if the sound on a radio or mobile phone breaks up, you can no longer hear the person who is speaking on it

Example

I can't hear you, you're breaking up.

Synonyms and related words
above acoustic acoustics
6

if schools break up, or if students or teachers break up, the students and teachers stop working at the end of term

Synonyms and related words
absence absenteeism attend
7

to divide a large area or a period of time into smaller parts so that it does not seem so big or long

Example

I usually go for a walk around three o'clock to break up the afternoon.

Synonyms and related words
take apart take down divide
Example

Come on, break it up, you two!

Definition break up in British English