# divide up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/divide-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- We should divide up the pizza so everyone gets a slice.
- The manager decided to divide up the work among the three team members to finish the project faster.
- After the inheritance was settled, the siblings had to divide up the estate according to their father's final wishes.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They divided up it between them." but "They divided it up between them." — when using a pronoun like 'it', it must come between the verb and the particle 'up'.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.