cut ties with

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut ties with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the idea of ending a relationship or connection with someone. For example: "I decided to cut ties with my old friend after I found out they had lied to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He eventually cut ties with Ferrari.

The New York Times

Later, they would cut ties with land altogether.

The Guardian

By then, Makhlouf had cut ties with his bank.

The Guardian

Egypt and Bahrain also cut ties with Gulf nation.

The Guardian

Should the UK cut ties with European court?

The Times

You'll wonder why you ever cut ties with him.

The New Yorker

But the team has continued to cut ties with him.

The New York Times - Sports

BP and Google have both cut ties with Alec.

The Guardian

Why haven't major institutions cut ties with the Sackler family?

The Washington Post

By contrast, upper class participants opted to take the job and cut ties with their community.

University of California, Berkeley

When do we officially cut ties with one administration and begin blaming the new administration?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cut ties with" when you want to clearly express the ending of a relationship, affiliation, or connection. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cut ties with" if you intend a temporary separation. This phrase implies a definitive and often irreversible end to the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut ties with" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive phrasal verb, where "cut" is the verb, "ties" is the object, and "with" is a preposition. It signifies the action of ending a relationship or association. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cut ties with" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing the termination of a relationship or affiliation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, academic writing, and general communication. While it conveys a sense of finality, it remains versatile for diverse scenarios. When writing, remember that alternatives like "sever relations with" or "end association with" may offer a more formal tone. Always consider the intended audience and context to ensure the appropriateness of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sever relations with

Replaces "ties" with "relations", emphasizing a formal break.

break off contact with

Focuses on ending communication.

dissociate oneself from

Implies a formal separation or disavowal.

end association with

Highlights the termination of a partnership or affiliation.

terminate relations with

Similar to sever relations but emphasizes the act of termination.

discontinue dealings with

Focuses on ending business or transactional interactions.

have nothing more to do with

An informal way of expressing a complete end to a relationship.

distance oneself from

Suggests creating emotional or physical separation.

withdraw from

Suggests a retreat or removal from a commitment or affiliation.

abandon all connection with

Emphasizes a complete and utter severing of any relationship or link.

FAQs

How to use "cut ties with" in a sentence?

You can use "cut ties with" to describe ending a relationship or affiliation. For example, "After the scandal, the company decided to "cut ties with" the CEO."

What can I say instead of "cut ties with"?

You can use alternatives like "sever relations with", "break off contact with", or "end association with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cut ties with" or "cut off ties with"?

"Cut ties with" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Cut off ties with" is less idiomatic.

What's the difference between "cut ties with" and "distance oneself from"?

"Cut ties with" implies a complete ending of a relationship. "Distance oneself from" suggests creating emotional or physical separation without necessarily ending the relationship entirely.