dump someone

Image acquired from Wikimedia Commons and used with permission. Image attribution: public domain via BotMultichillT.

Explanation:

In the photograph posted above, you can see a dump truck unloading some dirt. It can dump almost any substance in almost anyplace. However, when we speak of dumping a person in English, a dump truck isn't actually used! Sometimes when a person is in a romantic relationship, he or she comes to realize that the relationship was a big mistake. At that point, he or she will speak to the other person and indicate that it's time to end the relationship. The person who is unwanted is the one who gets dumped.

Note: The word "dumped" is considered to be a form of negative communication in English. If you end a romantic relationship with someone, and you want to be respectful to that person, then you should say, "We broke up."

When my girlfriend becomes tired of all my annoying habits, she will end our relationship. She can then say to her friends that she dumped me!

Example:

Gary: You look depressed, John. Is something wrong?

John: Yeah. I'm going through a difficult time right now. My girlfriend dumped me yesterday.

Gary: Oh, that's too bad. How did that happen?

John: You see, we went to her house for dinner, so I could meet her family. There was a lot of food, and we all put a lot on our plates. When we finished our meal, my girlfriend asked me to step outside with her for a moment. Then she dumped me, and told me not to call her anymore.

Gary: But that doesn't explain why she dumped you.

John: Well you see, throughout the whole dinner I talked with food in my mouth, and by the time we finished, her whole family had pieces of food all over their faces.

Gary: Oh man! That's disgusting! You're an animal! I can see why you got dumped!

John: Yeah, you're right, but I'm not worried because I can always find another girlfriend!

Gary: Oh yeah? Where do you think you'll find another woman who'll go out with you?

John: Good question. There must be someone out there who'll go out with a guy who talks with food in his mouth. Is your sister still single?

Gary: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Don't even think about it!

Listening practice link:

Although it's always unpleasant to dump someone, there are ways to do it with respect. The following video entitled 5 Tips for Dumping Your Relationship (nicely) will help you to understand this idiom in English and show you how to end a romantic relationship with total politeness.

Would you like to practice English from anywhere you go? If so, you should check out some of the talking dictionaries and translators (aff) from Ectaco.