break up

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative forms 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative forms

• break-up

[edit] Etymology

From break + up.

[edit] Verb

to break up (third-person singular simple present breaks up, present participle breaking up, simple past broke up, past participle broken up)

1. (intransitive) To break or separate into pieces; to disintegrate or come apart.

   It broke up when it hit the ground.

2. (intransitive, idiomatic) To end a relationship.

   She broke up with her boyfriend last week.

3. (intransitive, idiomatic) To dissolve; to part.

   The meeting finally broke up after a three-hour discussion.

4. (intransitive, idiomatic) Of a telephone conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection.

   You are breaking up. Can you repeat that?

5. (transitive) To break or separate into pieces.

   Break up the cheese and put it in the salad.

6. (transitive, idiomatic) To stop a fight; to separate people who are fighting.

   The police came in to break up the disturbance.

[edit] See also

• breakup (noun)