cut ties with

Meaning

This expression means to completely end a relationship, agreement, or connection with a person, family member, group, or organization. It implies a deliberate and usually permanent decision to stop all communication. The tone is serious and decisive.

Examples

• After years of toxic behavior, she finally decided to cut ties with her family.

  After years of toxic behavior, she finally decided to cut ties with her family.

• The company had to cut ties with their main supplier after the scandal.

  The company had to cut ties with their main supplier after the scandal.

• He cut ties with his old high school friends when he moved to London.

  He cut ties with his old high school friends when he moved to London.

• It's hard to cut ties with someone you've known for your entire life.

  It's hard to cut ties with someone you've known for your entire life.

• I think it's time for you to cut ties with him if he keeps treating you poorly.

  I think it's time for you to cut ties with him if he keeps treating you poorly.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She cutted ties with her ex-boyfriend.

  ✓ She cut ties with her ex-boyfriend.

  'Cut' is an irregular verb. Its past tense form is also 'cut', not 'cutted'.

• ✗ I decided to cut the tie with my old job.

  ✓ I decided to cut ties with my old job.

  The idiom is almost always plural ('ties') when referring to relationships or connections.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After their massive argument, they decided to ___ each other.

  💡 permanently end their relationship with

  Show answer

  cut ties with

• Sometimes you have to ___ toxic people for your own peace of mind.

  💡 stop all communication and connection with

  Show answer

  cut ties with