Crossword Genius

Separate ends of ship illuminated (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

split up

'separate' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'ends of ship illuminated' is the wordplay.
'ends of' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'illuminated' becomes 'lit up' (I've seen this before).
'ship' with its middle removed is 'sp'.
'sp'+'litup'='SPLIT UP'

(Other definitions for split up that I've seen before include "Divorce" , "Parted company" , "Separate" , "Take apart" , "Part company" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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