sever ties

USAGE SUMMARY

'sever ties' is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It means to cut off a relationship with someone, to end a friendship or other association. For example, "After years of friendship, the two friends decided to sever ties for good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's very, very hard to sever ties".

The New York Times

Relatives usually sever ties, so many inmates never receive visitors.

The New York Times

It was a true opportunity to pause and sever ties.

The Washington Post

However, Peverel didn't sever ties with Tchenguiz completely.

The Guardian - Money

Seven years later he would sever ties with the American ideal due to the Haymarket Incident.

Yale University

Republicans want to sever ties with Fannie and Freddie once the crisis abates.

The New York Times

Better to sever ties with the SOB as quickly as possible.

The Economist

He called on Sunni lawmakers to sever ties with Mr. Hashimi.

The New York Times

Those wishing more need to sever ties with the University and start their own companies.

Princeton University

And at that point, she chose to sever ties with her father.

The New York Times - Magazine

The students were protesting the decision by trustees to sever ties with the institute.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sever ties" when the relationship is complex or multifaceted, involving more than just personal connection.

Common error

While "sever ties" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "break up" or "stop talking" when discussing personal relationships to avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sever ties" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of ending a relationship, connection, or affiliation. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sever ties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes the ending of a relationship or affiliation. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "cut off relations" or "break off contact" exist, "sever ties" often implies a more formal or decisive action. When writing, consider the register and context to ensure that the chosen phrase aligns with the desired tone and level of formality. Although versatile, it's best to reserve the term to when the situation is adequately complex and involves relationships that go beyond a merely personal connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut off relations

This alternative focuses on the relational aspect, emphasizing the termination of connections between entities.

break off contact

This phrase highlights the cessation of communication or interaction.

end association

This suggests a formal termination of involvement or partnership.

terminate relationship

This emphasizes the ending of an ongoing connection between people or groups.

discontinue communication

This specifies the cessation of communicative exchanges.

dissolve partnership

This implies a formal ending to a collaborative agreement.

withdraw from alliance

This indicates a removal of support or membership from a group.

end collaboration

This denotes the termination of a joint effort or project.

halt cooperation

This emphasizes the stopping of collaborative activities.

cancel affiliation

This suggests a formal cancellation of a connection or membership.

FAQs

How can I use "sever ties" in a sentence?

You can use "sever ties" to describe ending a relationship or connection, as in, "The company decided to "sever ties" with its controversial partner."

What does "sever ties" mean?

"Sever ties" means to completely end a relationship or connection with someone or something. It implies a deliberate and often decisive act of separation.

What are some alternatives to "sever ties"?

Alternatives to "sever ties" include "cut off relations", "break off contact", or "terminate relationship", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "sever ties" or "break ties"?

Both "sever ties" and "break ties" are acceptable. "Sever ties" implies a more formal and decisive ending, while "break ties" can be used in more casual contexts.