split up
/ˌsplɪt ˈʌp/
Reviewed on
Type
Phrasal verb
Meaning
To end a romantic relationship or marriage.
After dating for three years, they decided to split up amicably.
Did the lead singer split up with his long-time partner last month?
To separate a group into smaller units or individual members, or to divide into such parts.
The instructor told the students to split up into groups of four.
We can split the search team up to cover more ground before nightfall.
To divide something into portions and share it among multiple people.
The business partners decided to split up the remaining profits equally.
How should we split the bill up among six diners?
How it's used
When this means “end a relationship with someone”
- split up with a partner
Say “split up with her.” Not “split her up.”
He recently split up with his girlfriend.
When this means “divide people into smaller groups”
Both orders mean the same thing.
- split up the group
- split the group up
it and them go in the middle: “split them up.” Not “split up them.”
Let's split the team up into pairs.
Collocations
- split up into groups
- split up into pairs
- split up the assets
- split up the profits