Meaning trap

break up

separate into smaller pieces

To divide something into smaller parts or pieces.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

separate into smaller pieces

To divide something into smaller parts or pieces.

break up (end a romantic relationship)

Another meaning of 'break up' is 'end a romantic relationship'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

She broke up the chocolate bar and shared it with her friends.daily life
During my presentation, I tried to break up the information so it was easier to understand.IELTS speaking

Pattern: break (something) up

WrongBreak up the text in shorter paragraphs.

RightBreak the text up into shorter paragraphs.

'Break up INTO' smaller parts, not 'in'.

Patternbreak (something) up

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Divide the chocolate into smaller individual segments.

Natural Break the chocolate up into pieces.

'Break up' is the everyday verb for splitting something into bits; the formal version is recipe-stiff.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Break up' means to separate into pieces, while 'break down' can mean to analyze or to stop working.

break up (end a romantic relationship) — Another meaning of 'break up' is 'end a romantic relationship'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.