split up — divide into smaller groups
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
To separate something or a group of people into smaller parts or groups.
Say it like a native
Textbook We will divide the participants into smaller subgroups.
Native Let's split up into groups.
'Split up' is the natural verb for dividing people into groups; the formal version is heavy.
Pattern: split (something/someone) up (into)
In use
- Let's split up into teams so we can finish the project faster.study
- During the group activity, the teacher asked us to split up into smaller groups to discuss the topic.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Let's split up in two groups.
✓ Let's split up into two groups.
Split up INTO groups — not 'in'.
Common collocations
split up + into— into groups, into teams, into pairs, the work
Don't confuse it
This sense is about dividing, not ending relationships.
Related
- split up (end a relationship) — Another meaning of 'split up' is 'end a relationship'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.