Phrasal verb
split up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
split up
Past
split up
Past participle
split up
Definition
phrasal verb. to end a romantic relationship or marriage; it can also mean to divide a large group into smaller ones.
phrasal verb. to terminate a romantic relationship or partnership; also used transitively to denote the division of a group or entity into smaller components.
Examples
“They decided to split up after ten years of marriage.”
“The teacher had to split up the students into four groups for the science project.”
“Following the internal dispute, the conglomerate was forced to split up its various subsidiaries to satisfy antitrust regulations.”
Examples
simple
“They decided to split up after ten years of marriage.”
contextual
“The teacher had to split up the students into four groups for the science project.”
complex
“Following the internal dispute, the conglomerate was forced to split up its various subsidiaries to satisfy antitrust regulations.”
Usage
when referring to relationships, it is usually intransitive; when dividing groups, it is often separable.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'break up' (synonymous for relationships) and 'divide' (more formal for groups); note that 'split up' is very common in spoken English for both senses.
Pitfall
They split up themselves last week.
They split up last week.
when used to mean ending a relationship, the verb is intransitive and does not take a reflexive pronoun.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
split (+ object) + up
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
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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