Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
burst-up

burst-up

7.7
A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation
  • noun
  • /bɜrst ʌp/
  • UK
: pelea
  • After their public burst-up, the couple decided to end their relationship.

Examples

  • Their friendship never recovered after a bitter burst-up last autumn.

  • There was a major burst-up between the manager and his assistant during the meeting.

  • The team's burst-up affected their performance in the tournament.

  • Their burst-up was unexpected.

  • After the burst-up, they stopped talking.

  • The unexpected burst-up during the meeting left everyone shocked.

  • Their heated burst-up caused a rift that neither of them could mend.

Synonyms

break
vsburst-up
118 3.4

An ending of a relationship or cooperation after disagreement

is a sudden quarrel causing dramatic end to a relationship rather than a general ending
outburst
vsburst-up
82 3.9

A sudden strong show of feeling like anger or laughter

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships rather than a general emotional spike
altercation
vsburst-up
55 6.8

A noisy argument between people often in public

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships dramatically rather than merely a noisy public dispute
rift
vsburst-up
43 5.4

A serious break between people or groups that causes conflict

is a sudden argument that causes a dramatic end rather than a gradual division
falling out
vsburst-up
  • Informal
31 4.4

A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship

is a sudden angry quarrel that often ends relationships dramatically
flare-up
vsburst-up
13 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships dramatically rather than a temporary intense incident
breach
vsburst-up
8 5.2

A break in friendly relations between people or groups causing tension

is a sudden quarrel that ends ties dramatically rather than a slow split
blowup
vsburst-up
  • Informal
8 6.1

A sudden angry outburst showing strong emotion

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships rather than a private emotional outburst
shouting match
vsburst-up
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is a sudden quarrel that often ends relationships dramatically rather than just loud shouting
rupture
vsburst-up
4 7.1

A serious break between people or groups that causes a lack of trust

is a sudden quarrel that ends relations dramatically rather than a slow separation
dustup
vsburst-up
  • Informal
4 7.2

A short angry argument between people that is not very serious

is a sudden quarrel that often ends relationships dramatically rather than being brief
break-off
vsburst-up
1 4.3

An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden

is a sudden quarrel that ends a relationship rather than only separation
bust-up
vsburst-up
  • UK
1 7.1

A serious argument that ends a friendship or other relationship

is the same meaning but differs only in spelling or form
run-in
vsburst-up
  • Informal
1 5.2

An angry argument with someone

is a sudden quarrel that usually causes lasting relationship end rather than a one-off dispute

Antonyms

agreement
214 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

reconciliation
112 5.3

A return to friendly relations after a disagreement

How Serious

fallout
113 6.7
breakup
119 3.4
burst-up
  • UK
7.7
argument
687 2.3
disagreement
231 1.6
to tiff
  • Informal
1 6.8

Surface Forms

burst-up singular
burst-ups plural

Morphology

burst-up = burst + up (semi-transparent) = burst + up

The components 'burst' and the particle 'up' are recognizable, but the specific noun meaning 'a sudden quarrel' relies on a phrasal-verb nominalization pattern and variable particle meanings, so the exact sense is not fully predictable for learners.

Etymology

Burst-up comes from burst 'to break open' and up 'completely' or 'to an end', so imagine something suddenly breaking and finishing all at once. That's why a burst-up is a sudden, explosive argument that can end a relationship or situation.