# break up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/break-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to end a romantic relationship or marriage. You use this when two people decide to stop being a couple.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He broke up her last week." but "He broke up with her last week." — The preposition 'with' is required when the verb takes an object in the context of relationships.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.