break up
BothSense-dependent: some meanings take an object and split, others take none. Check the sense you mean.
How to say it
Stress the particle, not the verb: break UP. Saying “BREAK up” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.
Link across the gap. The final /k/ of “break” moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “break up” is said “brea-kup”. Pausing between the words is what makes phrasal verbs sound recited rather than spoken.
Verb vs noun
As a noun the stress flips to the front: the verb is break UP, the noun is BREAKUP. Same two words, different beat — “to break UP” is the action, “a breakup” is the thing. Getting this backwards makes the sentence land oddly even when every sound is right.
4 meanings
- 1
To end a romantic relationship.
- “They broke up after four years together.”
- “She broke up with him over text, which made it worse.”
Similar: split up, separate
- 2
(Of a group or organisation) to separate into parts and cease to exist.
- “The band broke up due to creative differences.”
- “The company was broken up and sold off in pieces.”
Similar: disband, dissolve
- 3
To stop a fight, or to cause a gathering to end.
- “Two teachers ran over to break up the fight.”
- “The police broke up the party just after midnight.”
Similar: disperse
- 4
(Of a phone or video call) to become unclear because of a bad signal.
- “You're breaking up — can you move closer to the window?”
Similar: cut out