break up

break up(

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to dissolve a relationship)

a. separarse

Breaking up is never easy, whether in romance or business.Separarse nunca es sencillo, ya sea en el amor o en los negocios.

2. (to split up; often used with "with")

a. romper

He didn't eat for weeks after he broke up with his girlfriend.No comió por semanas después de romper con su novia.

b. terminar

He was so cowardly that he used a text message to break up with his girlfriend.Fue tan cobarde que usó un mensaje de texto para terminar con su novia.

c. cortar

Do you know why they broke up?¿Sabes por qué cortaron?

3. (to disintegrate)

a. desintegrarse

The heavy rains caused the rocks in the quarry to break up into sediment.Las fuertes lluvias hicieron que las piedras de la cantera se desintegraran hasta convertirse en sedimento.

b. deshacerse

If you add some water to the gravy and whisk vigorously, the lumps will break up.Si añades un poco de agua al jugo de carne y bates enérgicamente, los grumos se desharán.

4. (education)

Regionalism used in the United Kingdom

(United Kingdom)

a. terminar

After our final exams, school will break up.Después de nuestros exámenes finales, la escuela terminará.

b. empezar las vacaciones

Do you break up this week or next week?¿Empiezas las vacaciones esta semana o la semana que viene?

5. (to laugh uncontrollably)

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

a. reírse a carcajadas

This comedian is great. He has the audience breaking up every time.Este comediante es excelente. Siempre hace que el público se ría a carcajadas.

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

6. (to cause to separate)

a. dispersar

The police officers broke up the crowd that had gathered in the business district.Los policías dispersaron a la muchedumbre que se había reunido en el distrito comercial.

b. poner fin a

The two teachers broke up the fight in the hallway.Los dos maestros pusieron fin a la pelea que había en el pasillo.

c. desarticular

The primary aim of our police force has been to break up the street gangs that terrorize our city.El objetivo principal de nuestro cuerpo de policía es desarticular las bandas callejeras que aterrorizan nuestra ciudad.

d. dividir

Don't listen to their rumors. They just want to break up our group.No hagas caso a sus rumores. Solo quieren dividir a nuestro grupo.

7. (to separate into pieces)

a. desguazar

The crew broke up the ships to salvage metal that the airplane factory could use.La tripulación desguazó los barcos para reciclar el metal que la fábrica de aviones podría usar.

Examples