drive a wedge between

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive a wedge between" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to create division or conflict between people or groups. Examples: - The rumor was spread with the intention to drive a wedge between the two best friends. - The new policy has only served to drive a wedge between the employees and the management. - He tried to drive a wedge between the members of the team by fueling their personal differences. - The politician's inflammatory remarks only served to drive a wedge between the different communities in the country. - Let's not allow petty disagreements to drive a wedge between us and ruin our friendship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Supertitles drive a wedge between words and music.

The New York Times - Arts

The campaign for Cochran's seat could drive a wedge between Republican senators.

The Washington Post

"They used the fact that I am Shia to drive a wedge between us.

The Guardian

Bin Laden's objective was to drive a wedge between the kingdom and the United States.

The New York Times

Beijing evidently hopes to drive a wedge between the United States and its Asian allies.

The New York Times

The very demand serves to drive a wedge between Muslims and their fellow citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

His campaigns in Azerbaijan were designed to drive a wedge between Urartu and the Medes.

Britannica

"North Korea is always trying to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington," Kim said.

The Washington Post

About competing with Sotheby's and Christie's he added, "Maybe we can drive a wedge between them".

The New York Times - Arts

"The idea is to drive a wedge between the militants and the people," Ghani said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Morales accused Mr. Sanchez of using race and language to drive a wedge between Texans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive a wedge between" when you want to emphasize an intentional or unintentional action that is creating division or conflict between two entities.

Common error

Avoid using "drive a wedge between" passively. Ensure that there is a clear subject doing the driving. It's about an action someone takes, not a state of being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive a wedge between" functions as an idiomatic expression, where the literal meanings of the individual words combine to create a figurative meaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to describe an action that creates division or conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drive a wedge between" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe the act of creating division or conflict between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news, academic, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of the agency behind the action, ensuring a clear subject is performing the act of 'driving the wedge'. While there are several alternatives, such as "cause a rift between" or "foster discord among", each carries slightly different nuances. Choosing "drive a wedge between" emphasizes the intentional or unintentional disruption of a previously stable connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a rift between

Indicates a break or split in a relationship.

damage the bond between

Focuses on harming an existing connection.

create conflict between

Focuses on the creation of direct conflict rather than a subtle separation.

undermine the relationship between

Highlights the weakening of a connection gradually.

foster discord among

Highlights the nurturing of disagreement within a group.

sow seeds of dissension between

Emphasizes the planting of disagreement that grows over time.

disrupt the harmony between

Focuses on disturbing an existing peaceful relationship.

set at odds

Describes placing individuals or groups in opposition to each other.

instigate animosity between

Stresses the sparking of hostile feelings.

separate and alienate

Emphasizes both the separation and the feeling of being estranged.

FAQs

How can I use "drive a wedge between" in a sentence?

Use "drive a wedge between" to describe an action that causes division or conflict between two parties. For instance, "His lies were intended to drive a wedge between the friends."

What does "drive a wedge between" mean?

The phrase "drive a wedge between" means to cause a separation or conflict between people or groups, often disrupting a previously good relationship.

What are some alternatives to "drive a wedge between"?

You can use alternatives like "cause a rift between", "foster discord among", or "sow seeds of dissension between" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "drive a wedge between" in formal writing?

Yes, "drive a wedge between" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.