split up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Separate; end a relationship
Why “up”? The action stops. With give up, up can show that someone stops trying.
“They split up last summer.”
“The band split up after the tour.”
Don't confuse with
Split up means separate or end a relationship. Split off means separate from a larger group.
Test yourself
“They split up last summer.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
split off
A contrast learners often mix up
Separate from a larger group
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
give up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop trying; surrender
hang up
Same up pattern: stopping
End a phone call
lay up
Same up pattern: stopping
Force someone to stay in bed because of illness or injury
let up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less intense or stop
loosen up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less tense or formal, especially before an activity
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