undermine the ties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine the ties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that weaken or damage relationships or connections between people, groups, or entities. Example: "The recent scandal could potentially undermine the ties between the two countries, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Joe Uppal, a University of Michigan undergraduate studying anthropology and philosophy, said the age wave "does kind of undermine the ties between Facebook and the college community.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the collaboration appeared to reflect a shared sense of pragmatism and not a larger shift in relations; there has been no public sign of a breakthrough on the main issues that have undermined the ties between the countries.

The New York Times

Nationalisation would probably also lead to the removal of both institutions' managements, and undermine the cosy ties the agencies have long had with Congress.This comes against an increasingly bleak backdrop.

The Economist

The plans will be seen as an attempt to combat Ukip's success in exploiting the rising sense of English nationalism, but critics will argue the moves threaten to undermine further the ties within the United Kingdom.

Independent

The recovery of this ancient dichotomy had the effect of undermining the longstanding ties between Aristotelianism and Scholasticism, and opened up new spaces for philosophy unimpaired by metaphysical limitations.

SEP

The diplomatic fallout marks a unique low point in the relationship between the United States and Mexico, threatening to undermine the two countries' close ties.

Huffington Post

Last August, the S.E.C. issued a bulletin reminding Wall Street that promises solicited from clients to buy stock in the future, known as tie-in agreements, "undermine the integrity of the market as an independent pricing mechanism for the offered security" and are illegal, whether direct or indirect.

The New York Times

By removing the Indian priests "the Maoist forces have not only dealt a body blow to the centuries-old tradition of the temple but also tried to undermine the inherent India-Nepalese cultural ties," Singh said.

Huffington Post

It might also undermine the Fed's independence by tying it more tightly with the Treasury.

Forbes

To undermine the European Union and to consolidate ties between Moscow and the future possible leader of pro-Kremlin France.

The Guardian - Opinion

In its most vehement response so far, Moscow suggested the arrests were a deliberate attempt to undermine the recent improvement in US-Russian ties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermine the ties" when you want to convey that something is actively weakening or damaging existing relationships or connections. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intensity and nature of the damage.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine the ties" when the impact is minimal or only a potential risk. Choose a less forceful phrase if the situation doesn't involve significant damage to established relationships.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undermine the ties" is a verb phrase, where "undermine" acts as the verb, and "the ties" functions as the direct object. Ludwig examples show how it operates within sentences to describe the action of weakening connections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine the ties" is a versatile expression used to describe the weakening of relationships or connections. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While alternatives exist, such as "weaken the bonds" or "erode the connections", "undermine the ties" effectively conveys the action of actively damaging existing relationships. When using this phrase, ensure that the impact is significant enough to warrant its use and avoid overstating the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken the bonds

Focuses on weakening the connections rather than actively undermining them.

damage the relationship

Specifically refers to harming a relationship, implying potential repair is still possible.

erode the connections

Suggests a gradual deterioration of connections over time.

fray the links

Implies a wearing away or thinning of the links between entities.

sever the links

Indicates a complete breaking or cutting off of connections.

rupture the bonds

Conveys a sudden and forceful breaking of the bonds.

compromise the connections

Suggests the connections are weakened or put at risk.

jeopardize the relations

Highlights the risk or danger to the relations between parties.

threaten the alliance

Specifically refers to posing a threat to a formal agreement or partnership.

destabilize the partnership

Implies making a partnership unsteady or prone to failure.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine the ties" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine the ties" to describe actions that weaken relationships or connections, such as: "The scandal could "undermine the ties" between the two organizations."

What are some alternatives to "undermine the ties"?

Alternatives include "weaken the bonds", "damage the relationship", or "erode the connections", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "undermine ties" or "undermine the ties"?

While "undermine ties" is grammatically correct, "undermine the ties" is often preferred when referring to specific, existing connections. Using "the" clarifies that you are talking about particular relationships.

What is the difference between "undermine the ties" and "strengthen the ties"?

"Undermine the ties" means to weaken or damage relationships, while "strengthen the ties" means to reinforce or improve those relationships. They are antonyms, representing opposite actions concerning connections between entities.