ties frayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ties frayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the condition of ties that are worn out or damaged, often referring to the fabric or material becoming unraveled or worn at the edges. Example: "He wore a suit with a tie frayed at the ends, giving him a slightly disheveled appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the early 1990's, those ties frayed as Coca-Cola sought creative advice from Michael S. Ovitz, the Hollywood talent agent, and then from other traditional ad agencies.

The New York Times

A former defence minister, Fukushiro Nukaga, is due to visit Seoul on January 4th to meet South Korea's president-elect, Park Geun-hye (see article)—a welcome attempt to mend ties frayed by disputes over islands known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan.Mr Abe has also promised to strengthen security ties with America that were not always smooth under DPJ rule.

The Economist

My family ties frayed, as everything became about AIDS and ACT UP.

Huffington Post

In a rare interview on German TV, Obama set out to mend ties frayed last year by media reports citing leaked intelligence documents that Washington was spying on European Union citizens and had bugged Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone.

Huffington Post

So there's a lot of debate and discussion going on now". During Powell's visit, both he and his hosts tried to stress steps taken to repair the ties frayed by the Iraq war.

Los Angeles Times

* Ties frayed by reports U.S. bugged Merkel's phone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When social ties fray, performance declines.

Harvard Business Review

As family ties fray and the clan moves hiding-places, our young hero pursues his quirky investigations into science and stories.

Independent

There I confronted the usual heap of graying underwear, stained ties and frayed T-shirts.

The New York Times - Travel

After the intermission, we arrive at the piece that grants the evening its banner title, only to find that domestic ties have frayed further still.

The New York Times - Arts

Hayden has long worked at developing good relationships with members of Congress, but those ties have frayed lately, mainly because of the NSA's domestic surveillance program.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ties frayed" to describe the gradual weakening of relationships or connections, particularly when referring to political, diplomatic, or familial bonds.

Common error

Avoid using "frayed" solely for literal, physical objects. While fabric or rope can fray, "ties" in this context are metaphorical and refer to relationships. Instead of saying "The rope ties frayed", consider "The rope frayed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ties frayed" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as a verb phrase with a noun subject. It often describes the condition of relationships or connections that have weakened over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ties frayed" effectively describes the gradual weakening of relationships, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily used in news and media, it conveys a sense of decline or deterioration in political, diplomatic, or personal connections. While grammatically sound and widely understood, consider alternative phrases like "relationships deteriorated" or "connections weakened" for nuanced contexts. Be mindful not to use "frayed" solely for physical objects, reserving it for metaphorical relationships. As evidenced by various authoritative sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relationships deteriorated

Focuses on the deterioration of relationships, a broader term than just "ties".

bonds were strained

Highlights the strain on the bonds, implying difficulty and pressure.

connections weakened

Emphasizes the weakening of connections, suitable when "ties" refers to less formal bonds.

relations soured

Suggests a negative turn in relations, often implying bitterness.

links unraveled

Implies a gradual disintegration of links or connections.

friendships eroded

Specifically refers to the gradual weakening of friendships.

rapport diminished

Refers specifically to a decline in mutual understanding and harmony.

cooperation declined

Emphasizes a reduction in collaborative efforts.

allegiances dissolved

Indicates a formal breaking of loyalty or commitment.

unity crumbled

Suggests a disintegration of togetherness or solidarity.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "ties frayed"?

When someone says "ties frayed", it means that relationships or connections, often political, diplomatic, or personal, have weakened or deteriorated over time. It implies a gradual decline rather than a sudden break.

What can I say instead of "ties frayed"?

You can use alternatives like "relationships deteriorated", "connections weakened", or "bonds were strained" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ties frayed" in formal writing?

Yes, "ties frayed" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly in news and media, to describe the weakening of relationships. However, consider alternatives if a more precise term is needed.

How does "ties frayed" differ from "ties broken"?

"Ties frayed" suggests a gradual weakening or deterioration, while "ties broken" implies a complete severing of the relationship. Frayed implies a slow decline, whereas broken suggests a more decisive end.