English · Emotions & Feelings
break up
/breɪk ʌp/
[/breɪk ʌp/]
end a relationship
Intermediateverb
Definition
To end a romantic relationship, or to separate into smaller pieces.
Example
They decided to break up after realising they wanted completely different things from their future together.
They decided to break up after realising they wanted completely different things from their future together.
Etymology
From 'break' plus 'up', the romantic sense becoming common in the 20th century.
How & Where It’s Used
Informal and ubiquitous for relationships; also used for crowds dispersing or signals failing.