Split up meaning in English
Learn how to use Split up correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to split up: to separate, to divide, to partition
The band split up five years ago. They separated due to musical differences.
Let's split up the chores. We can divide them and do half each.
We split up into groups of four in order to work more effectively. We divided the work into four and it took us half the time to finish it!
Examples
- "Mr. Oléré and I had very different visions for the company's future, and so we have decided to split up."
- "Lawrence Laughsalot : Alright soldiers, the first thing we're going to do is split up into teams of two."
Exercise 1
Mr. Laughsalot says, "Alright soldiers, the first thing we're going to do is split up into teams of two".
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "split up" correctly.
Be careful, there may be more than one correct response!
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "split up" correctly.
Be careful, there may be more than one correct response!
Mr. Laughsalot says, "Alright soldiers, the first thing we're going to do is split up into teams of two".
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "split up" correctly.
Be careful, there may be more than one correct response!
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "split up" correctly.
Be careful, there may be more than one correct response!
This is one correct use of the phrasal verb "to split up". Here it means to separate, or to end a romantic relationship. Note that in the Lawrence's speech he is using the verb to express the sense of dividing, and not ending a relationship.
This is one correct use of the phrasal verb "to split up". Here the verb indicates a division (of labor). This is the same sense in which Lawrence uses the term in the dialogue.
This sentence has no ostensible meaning. The verb "to split up" cannot be used to indicate that one will "analyze" or "examine" a topic.
The expression "to split hairs" is a legitimate way to refer to analyzing things in too much detail, however this expression uses the simple verb "to split", and not the phrasal verb "to split up".
Exercise 2
Replace the phrasal verb broke up in the sentence below:
After I gave it to him, he with me and called off the engagement!
After I gave it to him, he with me and called off the engagement!
Replace the phrasal verb broke up in the sentence below:
After I gave it to him, he split up with me and called off the engagement!
After I gave it to him, he split up with me and called off the engagement!
split up: The phrasal verb to "break up" indicates that a couple has separated. Example: After I met Fred, I decided to break up with John. This shares the same meaning as the phrasal verb to "split up". Example: Ken and Barbie split up after forty years of marriage.
ran off: The phrasal verb to "run off" has several meanings, and can express that a romantic couple have gone away someplace together in order to get married. Example: Since his mother did not approve, the young couple ran off to Las Vegas to get married. However, to "run off" does not share a similar meaning with to "break up".
checked out: The phrasal verb to "check out" has two main meanings: One is when to officially leave a hotel. Example: We had to check out of our hotel before 11 am. The other meaning of "check out" is to investigate with the intention of trying. Example: I want to check out the new Korean restaurant in our neighborhood.
fell through: The phrasal verb to "fall through" expresses that something did not work, however it cannot be used in relation to a romantic relationship. It is often used in a business sense when a deal does not complete successfully. Example: At the last minute, our partner quit the company and the deal fell through.
Exercise 3
"After I gave it to him, he broke up with me and called off the engagement!". How else could this be expressed?
After I gave it to him, he with me and called off the engagement!
After I gave it to him, he with me and called off the engagement!
"After I gave it to him, he broke up with me and called off the engagement!". How else could this be expressed?
After I gave it to him, he split up with me and called off the engagement!
After I gave it to him, he split up with me and called off the engagement!
split up: The phrasal verb to "break up" is used when a couple separates. Example: After I met Fred, I decided to break up with John. This shares the same meaning as the phrasal verb to "split up". Example: Ken and Barbie split up after forty years of marriage.
ran off: The phrasal verb to "run off" has several meanings, and can express that a romantic couple have gone away someplace together in order to get married. Example: Since his mother did not approve, the young couple ran off to Las Vegas to get married. However, to "run off" does not share a similar meaning with to "break up".
checked out: The phrasal verb to "check out" has two main meanings: One is when to officially leave a hotel. Example: We had to check out of our hotel before 11 am. The other meaning of "check out" is to investigate with the intention of trying. Example: I want to check out the new Korean restaurant in our neighborhood.
fell through: The phrasal verb to "fall through" expresses that something did not work, however it cannot be used in relation to a romantic relationship. It is often used in a business sense when a deal does not complete successfully. Example: At the last minute, our partner quit the company and the deal fell through.
Exercise 4
"The first thing we're going to do is split up into teams of two".
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "to split up" correctly.
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "to split up" correctly.
"The first thing we're going to do is split up into teams of two".
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "to split up" correctly.
Choose all the sentences below that use the phrasal verb "to split up" correctly.
This is one correct use of the phrasal verb "to split up". Here it means to separate, or to end a romantic relationship. Note that in Lawrence's speech he is using the verb to express the sense of dividing, and not ending a relationship.
This is one correct use of the phrasal verb "to split up". Here the verb indicates a division (of labor). This is the same sense in which Lawrence uses the term in the dialogue.
This sentence has no ostensible meaning. The verb "to split up" cannot be used to indicate that one will "analyze" or "examine" a topic.
The expression "to split hairs" is a legitimate way to refer to analyzing things in too much detail, however this expression uses the simple verb "to split", and not the phrasal verb "to split up".
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