break it up
To stop a fight, especially a physical altercation. Often used an imperative addressing those fighting. Whoa, break it up, you two! When the teacher saw the two boys shove each other, she came running over to try to break it up. Just let the them fight, refs! Don't break it up!
break up
1. verb To come apart in pieces. The house is so old that the plaster on this wall is breaking up—there are bits of it all over the floor. I know you like a hard, crunchy bread, but I prefer a soft one that breaks up in your hands. You need to add some water to this sand, otherwise it'll just keep breaking up as you try to build your sandcastle.
2. verb To split something into smaller pieces. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "break" and "up." I know the project is daunting, but let's break it up into manageable parts that each of us can work on. Because there was only one cookie left, I broke it up so that each kid could have a piece. Dad's outside with his chainsaw breaking up the big branch that fell.
3. verb To be inaudible or indecipherable, as of a voice on the telephone or a broadcast of some kind. I'm sorry, can you repeat that? You're breaking up. Your father called, but he was breaking up the whole time, and his message was all garbled. I'm actually not sure who it was on the phone, sir. They were breaking up the whole time.
4. verb To disrupt something and induce its end. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "break" and "up." When the teacher saw the two boys shove each other, she came running over to break it up. The police have been working hard to break up the drug trade in our city The referees are too quick to break up fights these days. They need to let hockey players police themselves!
5. verb To end a partnership of some kind, often a romantic relationship. I'm so sad to hear that Mara and John broke up—I thought those two would be together forever. The Beatles breaking up is considered a pivotal moment in rock history. I love Bryan. I don't want to break up with him, but I just think our relationship has run its course, unfortunately.
6. verb To cause one to laugh or cry intensely. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "break" and "up." That joke broke her up more than I'd anticipated—she thought it was hilarious! My mother was fine this morning, but the funeral really broke her up. That strange noise in the hallway totally broke the class up. I had a hard time getting them to stop laughing and focus on fractions again.
7. verb To laugh or cry intensely. She thought that joke was hilarious and completely broke up at it! My mother was fine this morning, but she really broke up at the funeral. That last scene totally broke me up. It was just so sad!
8. verb To disrupt the monotony of something. I need to walk around and get some coffee—anything to break up a morning of research. You need to inject some humor and break up the dull tone of this speech. The kids need recess to break up a day of classes.
9. noun The end of a partnership of some kind, often a romantic relationship. In this usage, the phrase is commonly written as one word. I was so sad to hear of Mara and John's breakup—I thought those two would be together forever. The Beatles' breakup is considered a pivotal moment in rock history. It's been four years—will he ever get over his breakup with Sharon?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.