bust-upˈbust-up noun [countable] informal 
Examples
the bust-up of their marriage → bust up at bust12 British English a very bad quarrel or fight: Cathy and I had a real bust-up yesterday.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- After the bust-up, I didn't see Rick for several weeks.
- Christie was involved in an angry bust-up with reporters and photographers outside the courtroom.
- She and her boyfriend had a big bust-up over who was supposed to look after the kids.
- the bust-up of their marriage
- All that, and there's still the Baldwin love triangle and Jim and Gwen's bust-up to come.
- But the big talking point was the first half bust-up involving the rivals managers and team officials.
- His latest disciplinary bust-up has left senior Middlesex officials wondering whether they can ever tame the 22-year-old hothead.
- It was that bust-up which ruined team morale this season and contributed to Lancashire's desperately poor season.
- Sold by Marseille chairman Bernard Tapie after bust-up at a charity match when he threw his shirt at the referee.
- Tony Snell was escorted from the Radio City premises in Liverpool after the breakfast show bust-up.
- When parents refuse, there is either an almighty bust-up or a continuing groundswell of discontent that lasts for weeks.
- Within sight of power, the group has had a public bust-up likely to reduce its appeal in the forthcoming election.
THESAURUS► argument
1the end of a relationshipbust-up of a situation in which people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something: · an argument between two drivers over who had right of way· A 29-year-old man was shot and killed today after an argument over a gambling debt.
► row British English, fight especially American English a loud angry argument with someone, especially your boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone in your family. Row is also used about a serious disagreement between politicians about important public issues: · There were always fights between my parents.· the continuing row over tax increases· A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.
► disagreement a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting angry: · There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.· Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss.
► quarrel especially British English an argument, especially one in which people get angry and that lasts a long time. Quarrel sounds more formal and more serious than argument or row: · a bitter family quarrel
► feud a very bitter argument between two groups, especially families, which lasts for many years and causes people to hate each other: · The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys raged for 20 years.
► dispute a public or legal argument about something, especially one which continues for a long time: · Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher.· The settlement will resolve a long-running dispute over the country’s nuclear program.
► war/battle of words an argument in which two people or groups criticize each other continuously in public: · The war of words over construction delays at the airport has erupted again.
► bust-up British English informal a very bad argument, especially one in which people decide to separate from each other: · He had a bust-up with the team manager.
► shouting match an angry argument in which people shout at each other: · He got into a shouting match with another driver.
► slanging match British English informal an argument in which people insult each other: · He was sacked after a slanging match with a colleague.
Longman Language Activatoran argument► argument when people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something: have an argument: · My sister and I had a terrible argument last night.argument about/over: · A 29-year-old man was shot and killed today after an argument over a gambling debt.argument with: · I'm sorry I'm not in a good mood. I had an argument with my husband this morning.get into an argument (=to start arguing, without intending to): · Phil got into an argument with a guy at the bar.
► row British a loud angry argument that continues for a short time between people who know each other well. Row is also used about a serious disagreement between politicians concerning important public matters: · There were always rows when my dad got home.· The World Trade Organization will give the two countries 60 days to end their row.row over: · The newspapers are full of stories about the continuing row over private education.blazing row (=a very angry, noisy argument): · The couple in the house next door were having a blazing row.big row: · A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.
► quarrel an angry argument between people who know each other well: · a family quarrelquarrel with: · I was tired of these stupid quarrels with my parents.have a quarrel: · They had some sort of quarrel years ago, and they haven't spoken to each other since.
► disagreement a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting angry: disagreement about/over: · There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.disagreement with: · Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss.disagreement between: · This bill will never be passed if disagreements between Democrats and Republicans aren't settled soon.
► dispute formal when two people, organizations, or countries publicly disagree and argue with each other about something important: dispute over/about: · The dispute over weapons inspections is likely to be the main topic of tomorrow's meeting.dispute with: · Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher.dispute between: · Representatives from both sides met late last night in an attempt to settle the budget dispute between Congress and the President.settle a dispute (=end it by agreement): · All efforts to settle the dispute have so far failed.
► bust-up British informal a very bad quarrel or fight: · After the bust-up, I didn't see Rick for several weeks.have a big bust-up: · She and her boyfriend had a big bust-up over who was supposed to look after the kids.bust-up with: · Christie was involved in an angry bust-up with reporters and photographers outside the courtroom.
► exchange a very short argument between people or groups, especially in a formal or official situation such as a political meeting: · During angry exchanges in Parliament the Prime Minister said he would not change existing policies.heated exchange (=an angry exchange): · A series of heated exchanges between the two governments followed.
► showdown a serious argument that comes at the end of a period of time during which there has been a lot of disagreement and angry feelings: · Everyone in the office knew that there would be a showdown sooner or later, the way things were going.· The Senate moved toward another showdown with the President over the budget.
► feud an unpleasant and often violent situation between two groups, especially families, in which people have been arguing for so long that they cannot remember the cause of it: · The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys raged for 20 years.· He has been accused of letting personal feuds affect his judgement.
the bust-up of their marriage → bust up at bust12 British English a very bad quarrel or fight: Cathy and I had a real bust-up yesterday.