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split up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 end a relationshipWhen two people split up, they stop being a couple or end their romantic relationship.
  2. 2 divide into smaller groupsTo separate something or a group of people into smaller parts or groups.
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1

end a relationship

B1split up with sbMost common

When two people split up, they stop being a couple or end their romantic relationship.

After dating for three years, they decided to split up.

A: Have you seen Emma lately?
B: No, she and Tom split up last month, so she's been keeping to herself.

I think it's normal for some couples to split up if they have very different goals in life.

Common mistake

✗She split up her boyfriend.

✓She split up with her boyfriend.

You split up WITH someone — don't drop 'with'.

Tell it apart

The couple split up.

ended the relationship

The class split up into teams.

divided into groups — sense 2
Usually used for boyfriends, girlfriends, or married couples. 'Break up' is a close synonym.'Split up' can also mean to divide into smaller groups, not just ending relationships.

Often paired with

split up + with
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2

divide into smaller groups

B2split sth up into

To separate something or a group of people into smaller parts or groups.

Let's split up into teams so we can finish the project faster.

A: There are too many of us for one car.
B: No problem, we can split up and take two taxis.

During the group activity, the teacher asked us to split up into smaller groups to discuss the topic.

Common mistake

✗Let's split up in two groups.

✓Let's split up into two groups.

Split up INTO groups — not 'in'.

Tell it apart

Let's split up into teams.

divide the group

The couple split up.

ended their relationship — sense 1
Often used when organizing people for activities, or dividing things to share.This sense is about dividing, not ending relationships.

Often paired with

split up + into
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end a relationshipdivide into smaller groups