The phrase "break off ties" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is a common expression used to indicate the severing or ending of a relationship. For example, "After months of argument, the families decided it was best to break off ties and go their separate ways."
Would he really break off ties with the US, for years one of his country's closest allies?
There were repeated debates in the United States government over whether to break off ties with him.
In the past, Israel has threatened to break off ties if Mr. Haider becomes part of a governing coalition.
"If all the Christians leave, you break off ties with the past," he told The Independent, in a rare interview by Skype from inside the Old City.
Amin turned to Libya's Muammar Qaddafi, who agreed to sell jets to the Ugandan, but only if the latter would break off ties with Israel.
If Israel goes back into Gaza, both Egypt and Jordan — the only two Arab countries with peace treaties with Israel — would come under pressure from their people to break off ties, a move that would undoubtedly strengthen Hamas.
The story suggests a strategic reason for breaking off ties, if only temporarily, with a counterpart.
No other foreign researchers are known to have broken off ties with Hwang, a world leader in the field.
Hugo Chávez worked with Douglas Bravo until shortly before the 1992 coup-d'état attempt, when they broke off ties.
From international business negotiation case studies such as this, we can learn strategic reasons for breaking off ties, if only temporarily, with a counterpart.
Mr Maduro broke off ties with Panama, which had requested a debate at the Organisation of American States on the political unrest in Venezuela.
