Breaking up is never easy, and people often turn to vivid idioms to express the emotions that come with ending a relationship.
Idioms make it easier to talk about something painful in a way that feels more human and relatable.
Idioms for Break Up
1. Call it quits
Meaning: To end a relationship or stop trying to make it work.
Usage:
After years of arguments, they finally called it quits.
We decided to call it quits before things got worse.
2. Go separate ways
Meaning: To part or move on from each other, often peacefully.
Usage:
After college, they went their separate ways.
We realized we wanted different things and decided to go our separate ways.
3. On the rocks
Meaning: A relationship that’s in trouble or close to ending.
Usage:
Their marriage has been on the rocks for months.
It’s sad to see their friendship on the rocks.
4. Break someone’s heart
Meaning: To cause deep emotional pain by ending a relationship.
Usage:
He broke her heart when he left.
That breakup really broke his heart.
5. Split up
Meaning: To end a relationship or partnership.
Usage:
They split up after five years together.
The band split up due to creative differences.
6. Fall apart
Meaning: For something (like a relationship) to stop working or fail.
Usage:
Their relationship fell apart after constant fights.
Everything started to fall apart once trust was broken.
7. Hit the rocks
Meaning: To experience serious problems that lead to a breakup.
Usage:
Their romance hit the rocks after that big argument.
Things were fine until their relationship hit the rocks.
8. Kick to the curb
Meaning: To dump or reject someone abruptly.
Usage:
She kicked him to the curb after finding out he lied.
He got kicked to the curb once she learned the truth.
9. Burned bridges
Meaning: To damage a relationship beyond repair.
Usage:
They really burned bridges after that messy breakup.
I don’t want to burn bridges, so I’ll end it respectfully.
10. The end of the road
Meaning: The point where a relationship or effort can’t continue.
Usage:
It felt like the end of the road for them.
We knew we’d reached the end of the road when the trust was gone.
11. Let go
Meaning: To emotionally move on from someone or something.
Usage:
It’s hard to let go after so many years together.
She finally let go and started focusing on herself.
12. Part ways
Meaning: To separate or end a relationship peacefully.
Usage:
They parted ways after realizing they wanted different futures.
We agreed to part ways and remain friends.
13. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or admit that a relationship can’t be saved.
Usage:
He threw in the towel after trying to fix things for months.
Sometimes it’s better to throw in the towel than keep hurting each other.
14. Fade away
Meaning: To slowly lose connection or affection over time.
Usage:
Their love just faded away over the years.
The spark faded away once they stopped spending time together.
15. Go up in smoke
Meaning: To fail or end suddenly without success.
Usage:
All their future plans went up in smoke after the breakup.
Their dream relationship went up in smoke.
16. Walk away
Meaning: To leave a relationship or situation for good.
Usage:
She decided to walk away before things got toxic.
Sometimes you just have to walk away to find peace.
17. Cut ties
Meaning: To completely end contact or communication.
Usage:
After the breakup, she cut all ties with him.
He cut ties with his ex to move on.
18. Drift apart
Meaning: To slowly grow distant from someone over time.
Usage:
They didn’t fight — they just drifted apart.
We used to be close, but we’ve drifted apart since college.
19. Break off
Meaning: To end an engagement or serious relationship.
Usage:
She broke off the engagement before the wedding.
They broke off their relationship after realizing it wasn’t right.
20. Over and done with
Meaning: Completely finished; no longer continuing.
Usage:
It’s finally over and done with — time to move on.
Once the breakup was over and done with, she felt relieved.
21. Wash one’s hands of someone
Meaning: To stop being involved with someone or something.
Usage:
He washed his hands of her after all the drama.
She’s finally washed her hands of that toxic relationship.
