break uporbreak (something) uporbreak up (something)
a :to separate into parts or pieces or cause (something) to separate into parts or pieces(使)分散,分解;拆散
The asteroid broke up [=disintegrated] when it hit the Earth's atmosphere.小行星进入地球大气层后解体了。
Enzymes help break up protein molecules.酶有助于分解蛋白质分子。
break up a large estate分割大笔遗产
b :to end or cause (something) to end(使)结束;终止
The demonstration broke up when the police arrived.警察一来,示威游行就结束了。
The party began to break up shortly after midnight.刚过午夜,聚会就结束了。
The police broke up the demonstration.警察驱散了示威人群。
He got hurt while trying to break up a fight.他试图阻止一场打斗,结果自己受了伤。
break up a terrorist organization解散一个恐怖组织
2
break up:to end a romantic relationship, marriage, etc.分手;离婚;断绝交往
They dated for years but recently broke up.他们谈了多年恋爱,但最近分手了。
I hear that he and his wife have broken up. = I hear that their marriage has broken up.我听说他和妻子离婚了。
— often + with
He broke up with his girlfriend.他和女友分手了。
3
break uporbreak (someone) upUS, informal:to begin laughing or cause (someone) to begin laughing suddenly and in a way that is difficult to control(使)不禁大笑
I always break up [=crack up] when I hear that joke.听到那个笑话时,我总是忍不住大笑。
Everyone broke up [=burst into laughter, busted out laughing] when they saw what he was wearing.看到他的一身穿戴,大家都不禁大笑起来。
That joke always breaks me up. [=cracks me up]那个笑话总让我忍不住大笑。
4
break (something) uporbreak up (something)
a :to change the regular quality or appearance of (something)打破(常规);改变(外表)
break up a dull routine打破单调的常规
A chimney breaks up the line of the level roof.一个烟囱打破了这个屋顶平齐的轮廓。
break up a text with pictures在文字中穿插图片
— see also 1break 10 (above)
b :to separate the parts of (something) so that it is not complete使分开;使不完整
The seller was unwilling to break up the dining room set by selling one of the chairs.卖家不愿从整套餐厅家具中拆出一把椅子来单卖。
The owner broke up the team by trading many of the best players.老板把许多一流球员转会出售,结果球队也解散了。
5
break upBritish, of a school:to come to the end of a period of instruction (such as a term)(学校)期末放假
School broke up for the summer last Friday.自上周五学校开始放暑假。