burst-up

7.7

A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation

noun
/bɜrst ʌp/

: 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

89 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

83 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

52 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

run-in

vsburst-up

Informal

41 5.2

An angry argument with someone

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

rift

vsburst-up

34 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

30 4.4

A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship

is a sudden angry quarrel that often ends relationships dramatically

breach

vsburst-up

21 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

flare-up

vsburst-up

11 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships dramatically rather than a temporary intense incident

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

blowup

vsburst-up

Informal

7 6.1

A sudden angry outburst showing strong emotion

is a sudden quarrel that ends relationships rather than a private emotional outburst

rupture

vsburst-up

6 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

5 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

bust-up

vsburst-up

7.1

A serious argument that ends a friendship or other relationship

is the same meaning but differs only in spelling or form

break-off

vsburst-up

4.3

An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden

is a sudden quarrel that ends a relationship rather than only separation

Antonyms

agreement

361 1.0

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

reconciliation

114 5.3

A return to friendly relations after a disagreement

How Serious

fallout

102 6.7

breakup

107 3.4

burst-up

7.7

argument

617 2.3

disagreement

268 1.6

to tiff

Informal

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.