split up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

split up

1end a relationship 2divide into smaller groups

Meaning 1 · most common

end a relationship

split up with sb

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

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: She split up her boyfriend.

Say: She split up with her boyfriend.

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

More on “end a relationship”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

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

Tell it apart

The couple split up.

ended the relationship

The class split up into teams.

divided into groups — sense 2

Goes with

split up + with

Practice saying this

Next meaning: divide into smaller groups

Meaning 2

divide into smaller groups

split sth up into

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

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: Let's split up in two groups.

Say: Let's split up into two groups.

Split up INTO groups — not 'in'.

More on “divide into smaller groups”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

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

Tell it apart

Let's split up into teams.

divide the group

The couple split up.

ended their relationship — sense 1

Goes with

split up + into

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

end a relationship divide into smaller groups