Phrasal verb
break up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
break up
Past
broke up
Past participle
broken up
Definition
phrasal verb. to end a romantic relationship or marriage. You use this when two people decide to stop being a couple.
phrasal verb. To terminate a romantic relationship or marriage. The verb functions intransitively to describe the mutual end of a bond or transitively with the preposition 'with' to specify the partner being left.
Examples
“They decided to break up after dating for two years.”
“After months of constant arguing, they realized they wanted different things and decided to break up.”
“The news that the high-profile couple had decided to break up dominated the headlines for weeks, sparking endless speculation about the cause of their separation.”
Examples
simple
“They decided to break up after dating for two years.”
contextual
“After months of constant arguing, they realized they wanted different things and decided to break up.”
complex
“The news that the high-profile couple had decided to break up dominated the headlines for weeks, sparking endless speculation about the cause of their separation.”
Usage
Use the preposition 'with' when you want to name the person someone is leaving.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'split up' and explain that 'break up' can also describe a poor phone connection or a meeting ending.
Pitfall
He broke up her last week.
He broke up with her last week.
The preposition 'with' is required when the verb takes an object in the context of relationships.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
break + up + with + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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