Phrasal Verb – Break up.
To end a relationship; also to finish school for the holidays, to become unclear on the phone, or to separate into pieces (4 meanings below).
Break up has several common meanings. For meanings 1–3 it is not separable; for meaning 4 it is separable.
Meaning 1: To end a relationship
We break up with someone. The noun is a break-up.
- “Jack broke up with me! I’m gobsmacked!”
Meaning 2: To finish school for the holidays
This meaning is mainly British English.
- “Our school breaks up at the end of July.”
Meaning 3: To become unclear on the phone
When a phone or video signal is weak, the person’s voice breaks up.
- “What did you say? I can’t understand you – you’re breaking up!”
Meaning 4: To separate into smaller pieces
- “Break the chocolate up into small pieces and share it with your brothers!”
Don’t confuse break up with break down (stop working): “My car broke down.”
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with 1 or 2 small words. These small words are particles. A particle can be a preposition or adverb. The phrasal verb has a different meaning from the verb alone because the particle changes the meaning of the verb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most often, to end a romantic relationship. It can also mean finishing school for the holidays, a phone signal becoming unclear, or separating something into pieces.
Yes. “She broke up with her boyfriend.” Or, for both people: “They broke up.”
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