break up

verb12

1. •
   To break or separate into pieces.

   • Break up the cheese and put it in the salad.
2. •
   To end a (usually romantic or sexual) relationship.

   • She broke up with her boyfriend last week.
3. •
   To end a (usually romantic or sexual) relationship with each other.

   • Jane and Stephen broke up.
4. •
   To break or separate into pieces; to disintegrate or come apart.

   • It broke up when it hit the ground.
5. •
   To cut or take to pieces for scrap.

   • Ex-Brighton "I4" 4-4-2 tank No. 2034, the last of its class, and "02" 0-4-4 tank No. 214 have been broken up. — 1940
6. •
   To dissolve; to part.

   • The meeting finally broke up after a three-hour discussion.
7. •
   Of a school, to close for the holidays at the end of term.

   • Once the schools break up for the holidays, children across the country are at a loose end and instances of kids doing stupid things on the railway become far too common. — 2021
8. •
   To stop a fight; to separate people who are fighting.

   • The police came in to break up the disturbance.
9. •
   Of a conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection; of a signal, to deteriorate.

   • You're breaking up. Can you repeat that? Well, it got cut off.
10. •
    To upset greatly; to cause great emotional disturbance or unhappiness in.

    • "I remember his wail at the meeting, which began: 'In fifty years experience of scientific intercourse----' It quite broke the old man up." — 1912
11. •
    (figurative) To become disorganised.
12. •
    (slang) To be or cause to be overcome with laughter.