splinter up

1. To split or break into splinters. The door splintered up as the police officer began kicking it in.

2. To cause something to split or break into splinters. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "splinter" and "up." The bullets slammed into the desk, splintering it up.

3. Of a group, to separate into individuals or smaller groups. The committee grew so large and so complex that it eventually had to splinter up into smaller sub-committees.

4. To cause a group or people or things to separate into individuals or smaller groups. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "splinter" and "up." The country originally had just two political parties, but these were splintered up over the years. The trouble between my parents really splintered our family up.

5. old-fashioned To bind, support, or restrict something, especially a broken limb or digit, with a splint. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "splinter" and "up." The veterinarian splintered up the horse's leg with planks of wood. I splintered my busted finger up as best I could, but I knew it wasn't going to heal right unless I saw a doctor.