ENGLISH
REFERENCE

divide up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to separate something into smaller parts so you can share it with others or organize it better.

phr. v.. to partition a whole into smaller segments or portions, often for the purpose of distribution or allocation among a group.


SIMPLE

We should divide up the pizza so everyone gets a slice.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager decided to divide up the work among the three team members to finish the project faster.

COMPLEX

After the inheritance was settled, the siblings had to divide up the estate according to their father's final wishes.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
divide (+ object) + up (+ object)
Usage

often used with objects like tasks, money, food, or land.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'divide' (the base verb); adding 'up' often emphasizes the completeness of the distribution or the act of sharing among people.

Pitfall

They divided up it between them.They divided it up between them.when using a pronoun like 'it', it must come between the verb and the particle 'up'.

© 2026 English Reference