Go to pieces when the short stoppage is over? (7)

I believe the answer is:

breakup

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'go to pieces' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'the short stoppage is over?' is the wordplay.
'the short stoppage' becomes 'break' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'is over?' becomes 'up' (e.g. if your time is up it is over).
'break'+'up'='BREAKUP'

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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