splitting

hair-splitting

1. modifier Of or characterized by minute and irrelevant differences or details in an argument. There have been some hair-splitting changes to the script, but other than that, it's the same as it ever was. A: "Um, your portion of the bill is actually $25.97, not $25.79." B: "Ashley, we can always count on you to notice some hair-splitting detail." She's a lawyer—hair-splitting details win her cases.

2. noun The act of scrutinizing minute, irrelevant, or imperceptible differences or details. We would get a lot more done in these meetings if everyone did less hair-splitting. I actually think it was your responsibility, not Dave's, but let's not get bogged down in hair-splitting. All this hair-splitting is just gonna end up annoying your employees. Focus on the big picture.

make like a banana and split

humorous To depart or leave, especially at once or in a hurry. (A pun on "to split," a slang term meaning to leave or depart, and a "banana split," an ice-cream-based dessert featuring a banana halved lengthwise.) This carnival turned out to be really boring. Come on, let's make like a banana and split! A: "Where are Jeff and Sally?" B: "They needed to get home to feed the baby, so they made like a banana and split."

See also: and, banana, like, make, split

split

slang To leave or depart, especially quickly or suddenly. We'd better split, Tom. We don't want to miss our flight. Once people started getting so drunk that they were falling over themselves, I knew it was about time to split.

split (one's) sides

To laugh uproariously or hysterically. Your jokes are perfect for your speech tonight. You'll have them splitting their sides!

See also: side, split

split (something) down the middle

To divide or share the cost of something exactly equally. While I appreciate the offer and the sentiment, I insist that we split the bill down the middle—I don't like someone paying for me on a first date.

See also: down, middle, split

split (something) fifty-fifty

To split something evenly between two parties. I promised the kids that I would split the last cookie fifty-fifty. Because you helped me so much with the yard sale, I want to split the profits fifty-fifty.

See also: split

split a/(one's) gut

To laugh uproariously or hysterically; to laugh so hard that it causes one's sides to hurt. Your jokes are perfect for your speech tonight. You'll have them splitting their guts! I was splitting a gut listening to your uncle's hilarious stories.

See also: gut, split

split between (two or more people or things)

1. adjective Undecided or uncommitted between two or more options or possibilities. I know Kevin is split between becoming a doctor or pursuing a career in art. I'm been feeling really split between these two styles for the wallpaper in the living room.

2. verb To share or divvy up something between two or more people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "split" and "between." The portions are really huge here, so Mary and I are just going to split a single entrée between us. We're already splitting a very thin budget between five different departments, so I don't see how the company will afford a sixth.

3. verb To occupy or create a space between two or more people or things. The road splits between the borders of the two countries, existing in a legal gray area outside either one. A large curtain split between the two groups of students, ensuring that neither side could see what the other was doing.

See also: between, more, people, split

split hairs

To make or focus on trivial or petty details, differences, or distinctions. I'm sorry to split hairs, but your portion of the bill is $25.97, not $25.79. I actually think it was your responsibility, not Dave's, but let's not split hairs about it.

See also: hair, split

split in (number or fraction)

1. To divide cleanly or evenly into some number or fraction of a whole. The mirror toppled over and split in three. OK, I want the class to split in eighths and come up with five different ways that energy is produced.

2. To divide someone or something cleanly into some number or fraction of a whole. With one mighty swing of his magical axe, the mighty Titan split the entire mountain in two. He split the pizza in six so everyone could have a slice.

See also: split

split into (number or fraction)

1. To divide cleanly or evenly into some smaller number of things. The mirror toppled over and split into three nearly identical shards. OK, I want the class to split into groups of eight and come up with five different ways that energy is produced.

2. To divide someone or something cleanly into some number or fraction of a whole. With one mighty swing of his magical axe, the Titan split the entire mountain into two. He split the pizza into six pieces so everyone could have a slice.

See also: split

split off

1. To detach, separate, or sever from some larger thing or piece. Groups of students split off to work on the project. A large chunk of rock split off from the side of the mountain and rolled down into the ravine.

2. To detach, separate, or sever something (from some larger thing or piece). A noun or pronoun can be used between "split" and "off." Split the tough, fibrous ends off of the asparagus stalks before you pop them in the oven. She split off a piece of chocolate for me.

See also: off, split

split the difference

To find and agree upon the point halfway or nearly halfway between two amounts of something, especially money. A: "I'll give you $100 for the computer." B: "I'm sorry, but I can't take lower than $150." A: "Why don't we split the difference and call it $125?"

See also: difference, split

split the ticket

To vote for candidates from more than one political party for different roles in public office. It has become increasingly uncommon for voters to split the ticket by voting for candidates from both parties.

See also: split, ticket

split up

1. To separate or divide into two or more pieces, groups, sets, etc. We'll find them faster if we all split up. The polar ice caps are going to start splitting up if global temperatures continue to rise.

2. To cause something or a group to separate or divide into two or more smaller pieces, groups, sets, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "split" and "up." Take this axe and go split those logs up into firewood. The teacher split up the class to work on the project in groups.

3. To end a romantic relationship with someone else. My parents split up when I was only five years old. Mary says that she split up with Sarah, but they've had such an off-again-on-again relationship that none of us is surprised anymore.

4. To cause a romantic couple to end their relationship. A noun or pronoun can be used between "split" and "up." My mom's gambling issues very nearly split up her marriage, but she got counseling and they're still together to this day. Tommy's been conniving to split Jenny and Phil up because he's still madly in love with her.

See also: split, up

split with (one)

1. To share or divvy up something with one. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "split" and "with." The portions are really huge here, so I'm just going to split an entrée with Mary. He agreed to split the earnings evenly with his partner.

2. To end a romantic relationship with one. I heard you split with your boyfriend—I'm so sorry to hear that! Martin says that he split with Sarah, but they've had such an on-again-off-again relationship that none of us is surprised anymore.

See also: split

splitting headache

A very intense, painful headache, i.e., one that makes one's head feel as though it is splitting apart. We were up all night drinking cheap wine, and I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache. I've had this splitting headache for nearly four hours, and nothing I do seems to help.

See also: headache, splitting

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

split hairs

Fig. to quibble; to try to make petty distinctions. They don't have any serious differences. They are just splitting hairs. Don't waste time splitting hairs. Accept it the way it is.

See also: hair, split

split off (from something)

to separate away from something; to sever connection with and separate from something. A large iceberg split off from the glacier and made an enormous splash. A giant chunk of ice split off and floated away.

See also: off, split

split someone or something up (into something)

to divide people or things up into something, such as groups. I had to split the group up into two sections—there were so many who showed up. I split up the class into two discussion sections.

See also: split, up

split something off (of) something

 and split something off

to sever connection with something; to separate from something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Dave split a piece of wood off the log to use for kindling. He split off a stick of wood.

See also: off, split

split the difference

to divide the difference evenly (with someone else). You want to sell for $120, and I want to buy for $100. Let's split the difference and close the deal at $110. I don't want to split the difference. I want $120.

See also: difference, split

split up (with someone)

[for someone] to separate from someone; to break up a marriage or love affair. Jeff split up with Judy. I had heard that they had split up with each other.

See also: split, up

splitting headache

Fig. a severe headache, as if one's head were splitting open. I'm sorry, I can't. I have a splitting headache. Maybe Fred will play bridge with you. This splitting headache has been going on for hours.

See also: headache, splitting

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

split hairs

Make trivial distinctions, quibble, as in Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; I'll close up today and you do it tomorrow. This metaphoric idiom transfers dividing so fine an object as a single hair to other petty divisions. [Second half of 1600s]

See also: hair, split

split the difference

Compromise between two close figures, divide the remainder equally. For example, You're asking $5,000 for the car and I'm offering $4,000; let's split the difference and make it $4,500 . [c. 1700]

See also: difference, split

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

split hairs

If someone splits hairs, they argue about very small details or find very small differences between things which are really very similar. More than half the cases they complained about were not, in fact, on Garzon's list, but let's not split hairs. Don't split hairs. You know what I'm getting at. Note: You can also accuse someone of hair-splitting. We were becoming impatient with hair-splitting over legal technicalities.

See also: hair, split

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

split hairs

make small and overfine distinctions.

This expression was first recorded in the late 17th century. Split straws, dating from the 19th century, is a less common version.

See also: hair, split

split the difference

take the average of two proposed amounts.

See also: difference, split

split the ticket (or your vote)

vote for candidates of more than one party. US

See also: split, ticket

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

split the ˈdifference

agree on an amount of something, such as money, which is halfway between two others: John offered €60, but Peter wanted €100. Finally they split the difference and agreed on €80.

See also: difference, split

split ˈhairs

(disapproving) pay too much attention in an argument to differences that are very small and not important: You might think I’m just splitting hairs, but what exactly do you mean by ‘a significant improvement’? ▶ ˈhair-splitting noun

See also: hair, split

split the ˈticket

(American English, politics) vote for candidates from more than one party: Election officials are reminding voters that they may ‘split their ticket’ in the November election, unlike a state primary election.

See also: split, ticket

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

split off

v.

1. To separate something; detach something: The babysitter split off a piece of fruit and shared it with the child. Before putting the flowers in water, I split the stem ends off.

2. To become separated from something: The political party split off from a broader coalition. As the temperature rose, a large section of the iceberg split off.

See also: off, split

split up

v.

1. To separate someone or something, such as people or groups; disunite someone or something: Artistic differences split up the band. They've been together too long to let a little argument split them up.

2. To become divided or part company as a result of discord or disagreement: My parents split up after 20 years of marriage.

3. To divide something, as for convenience or proper ordering: They split up the remainder of the money among themselves and parted ways. We split the project up into stages.

4. To become divided or be divisible: Let's split up into teams. This poem doesn't split up into stanzas very well.

See also: split, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

split

in. to leave. Look at the clock. Time to split.

split up

1. in. to separate. The two split up and went their separate ways.

2. n. an act of separating or breaking up. (Usually split-up.) Everyone was mentally prepared for the company’s split-up.

See also: split, up

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

split hairs

To see or make trivial distinctions; quibble.

See also: hair, split

split the difference

To take half of a disputed amount as a compromise.

See also: difference, split

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.