Dumped. Sacked. Broken-up. Given your walking papers. Kicked to the curb. Shown the door. There are dozens of names we give to the ending of a relationship.

There may be a handful of times when a break-up will go well and both parties are mature enough to handle the inevitable and truly part as friends. As for all the other times, well — breaking up is just hard to do. Whether it’s a broken engagement, broken promise, broken serious relationship, semi-serious relationship or just a few dates, what do you say to someone you’re about to hurt?

The Classics
*** Killer ** Crushed *Stinger

• “I want to be with you, but I just feel the Lord says no.” **
• “I’m keeping my options open.” **
• “You’re a really great/wonderful/nice person but…” **
• “I’ve really gotten to know you and we’ve had a lot of fun but…” ***
• “You’ll find someone better than me who will treat you better,
but I’m so thankful to have met someone like you.” ***
• “I can’t make the heart feel something it won’t. I’m sorry.” ***
• “I’ve decided I’m just not ready for a serious relationship.” **
• “I’m just not ready to date someone right now, but I still like you.” *
• “I have a lot of demands on my time right now, and I just don’t have time for a relationship.” *

The Cruel and Unusual
***Just plain brutal ** Cruel *What a jerk

• “We have three choices: stay together, take a break or break up entirely, and I want 2 or 3.” **
• “This isn’t a break-up. Just think of it as taking our relationship in another direction.” *
• “We have the perfect love, but you’re just not the right person and this isn’t the right time...” ***
• “How will I know I want to spend eternity with you unless I date other people?” *
• “I am breaking up with you now before you get too attached to me.
So in a way I’m actually doing you a favor.” ***
• “Since we’re still friends and all, do you think my ex still likes me?” ***
• “It’s been real, it’s been fun, but I can’t say it’s been real fun. Good-bye.” *
• “I don’t think I was ever in love with you.” ***