sever the tie

USAGE SUMMARY

"sever the tie" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to completely cut or break a connection or relationship with someone or something. Example: After years of working together, the business partners decided to sever the tie and go their separate ways. Another example: The country's decision to sever ties with its neighboring country caused political tension and instability.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The aim is to stop craven national supervisors protecting their banks, and to sever the tie between weak banks and weak sovereigns.

The Economist

You can sever the tie as soon as you need.

Vice

A Rio Tinto official also declined to speculate, but noted that under the current sanctions and Namibian law, it's impossible to buy out Iran's share or sever the tie.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, I couldn't completely sever the tie, because they were the only high-speed Internet provider in my area.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The urgent task is to sever the ties between banks and governments too feeble to support them.

The Economist

Many of Andersen's consulting partners are keen to sever the ties with their auditing colleagues once and for all.

The Economist

It doesn't have to be that way if you're willing to sever the ties between budgets and compensation".

The Economist

Retracting an invitation, even an implied one, has negative repercussions and may serve to emphatically sever the ties, however tenuous.

The New York Times

We may sever the ties for a while, she suggests, but family is the movie that none of us can rewrite or rewind.

The New Yorker

If there's no value then at least you're in the know and can negotiate or just sever the ties.

TechCrunch

We implicate collapse of the ice stream system in the North Channel Irish Sea Basinin in driving such asymmetry, since rapid collapse would sever the ties between the British and Irish Ice Sheets and drive flow configuration changes in response.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sever the tie", ensure the context clearly indicates what relationship or connection is being ended to avoid ambiguity. It's often used in formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "sever the tie" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "end the relationship" or "break the connection" are more appropriate for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sever the tie" functions as a declarative expression indicating a formal act of ending or disrupting a bond, link, or relationship. Ludwig examples show the use in describing formal actions taken by institutions or individuals.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sever the tie" is grammatically correct and signifies a deliberate act of ending a relationship or connection. While relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. Its formality makes it more appropriate for professional and news contexts. Consider alternatives like ""break the connection"" or ""cut off relations"" for less formal scenarios. Using "sever the tie" effectively involves understanding the context and desired level of formality to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sever relations

A shorter more direct form.

break the connection

Replaces "sever" with "break", a more common and less formal synonym.

sever all connections

Emphasizes a complete and total end to all forms of interaction.

cut off relations

Uses a more direct and less metaphorical expression to indicate ending a relationship.

dissolve the bond

Employs "dissolve" to suggest a more gradual and less abrupt ending.

rupture the link

Implies a forceful and sudden break in a connection.

terminate the agreement

Focuses on ending a formal or contractual tie.

end the affiliation

Specifically targets ending a connection with an organization or group.

discontinue the association

Formal way of ending a business or professional relationship.

break off negotiations

Indicates the end of discussion.

FAQs

What does "sever the tie" mean?

The phrase "sever the tie" means to completely end a relationship, connection, or agreement. It implies a deliberate and often decisive action to break off contact or association.

When is it appropriate to use "sever the tie" in writing?

"Sever the tie" is appropriate in formal writing, such as news articles, legal documents, or business reports, where a definitive and impactful phrase is needed to describe ending a significant relationship or connection.

What are some alternatives to "sever the tie"?

You can use alternatives like "break the connection", "cut off relations", or "end the affiliation" depending on the context.

Is "sever the tie" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "sever the tie" is generally too formal for casual conversation. In everyday speech, simpler phrases such as "end things" or "break up" are more appropriate. Using "break the connection" would be a suitable choice as well.