break up

What it means

To end a romantic relationship. It can also mean to separate something into smaller pieces, to dissolve a meeting or group, or to lose a phone signal during a call.

Examples

• They broke up after dating for almost five years.
• She broke up with him over text, which was pretty harsh.
• Sorry, you're breaking up — can you call me back?
• The meeting broke up just before lunchtime.

Where it comes from

Inseparable in the relationship sense, usually with 'with' to name the partner. Separable in other senses ('break up the bread', 'break it up'). 'Break up' is informal but neutral — neither rude nor especially formal. In school contexts in British English, 'break up' also means term ends ('we break up on Friday').

Related phrasal verbs