uncouple

[ uhn-kuhp-uh l ]

/ ʌnˈkʌp əl /

to release the coupling or link between; disconnect; let go: to uncouple railroad cars.

to end (a romantic relationship or marriage): Their marriage was uncoupled by financial problems.

to become unfastened; let go: The glider uncoupled from the tow plane.

to end a romantic relationship or marriage: My sister and her boyfriend have uncoupled after ten years together.

(of a romantic relationship or marriage) to end.

Origin of uncouple

1300–50; Middle English unco(u)plen; see un-², couple

To get real insight into public figures, we must watch them uncoupling, reinventing themselves as individuals.

Kristen Stewart, Katie Holmes, and the Summer of Break-Up Porn |Tracy Quan |August 13, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
All morning it came in a seemingly endless chain; uncoupling link by link, only to weld together again.

Garrison's Finish |W. B. M. Ferguson
A brakeman was just uncoupling the express car when Curly dived underneath and nestled close to the trucks.

Crooked Trails and Straight |William MacLeod Raine
And then to stand abroad in the woods for relays, and then blow three motes to the uncoupling.

The Master of Game |Second Duke of York, Edward

The arrangement of uncoupling, or throwing hooks out of gear, is extremely simple and effective.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 601, July 9, 1887 |Various
When she heard that the uncoupling of the parlour car had caused a delay, she groaned.

Dr. Dumany's Wife |Mr Jkai

uncouple

/ (ʌnˈkʌpəl) /

to disconnect or unfasten or become disconnected or unfastened

(tr) to set loose; release