"open a rift" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically means to create a divide or separation between two people, ideas, or groups. Example: The disagreement over the new policy has opened a rift between the employees and the management team. In this sentence, "open a rift" is used figuratively to describe how the disagreement has caused a division between the two groups.
It would open a rift with China just as it is weighing whether to join the United States again, this time in negotiating with North Korea.
But any attempt to reform the citizenship rules could open a rift between the PD and its coalition partner, Silvio Berlusconi's Freedom People (PdL) movement.
Sergeant Gravitch's testimony was also important to the family because of the possibility that it could open a rift in the city's defense.
Privately, some Clinton advisers said they were taken aback that Mrs. Clinton had chosen to open a rift with Mr. Lieberman before letting events unfold, especially at a time of such uncertainty for the Connecticut senator.
The Times claims that plans by Lord Mandelson to axe new laws that would increase costs for businesses, including enhanced maternity leave, could open a rift in the cabinet.
A new proposal for graduates to pay even more for the education they have enjoyed could open a rift in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.Demand for higher education is booming around the world; to help increase the supply, many countries, including Germany, Ireland and Spain, have begun charging students, as America has long done.
The rallies have opened a rift within the industry.
Senate Republicans do not deny that Mr. DeMint has opened a rift.
The announcement opened a rift between Israel and the United States and temporarily derailed the peace process.
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, said Mr. DeMint had opened a rift by backing Tea Party challengers.
The deal has opened a rift between the tribes and environmental groups.
