drift apart

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to slowly lose closeness, intimacy, or friendliness in a relationship over time. It usually happens naturally and gradually, often because of a change in circumstances, interests, or distance, rather than a specific fight.

Examples

• We used to be best friends in high school, but we slowly drifted apart over the years.

  We used to be best friends in high school, but we slowly drifted apart over the years.

• After they moved to different states, they began to drift apart.

  After they moved to different states, they began to drift apart.

• It's sad when couples drift apart because they stop communicating.

  It's sad when couples drift apart because they stop communicating.

• Although we drifted apart for a while, we recently reconnected.

  Although we drifted apart for a while, we recently reconnected.

• I don't want us to drift apart just because we work at different companies now.

  I don't want us to drift apart just because we work at different companies now.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We drifted away each other.

  ✓ We drifted apart.

  'Drift apart' does not take a direct object. If you want to mention the other person with a preposition, use 'drift away from [someone]'.

• ✗ They had a big fight and drifted apart.

  ✓ They had a big fight and stopped talking.

  'Drift apart' implies a slow, gradual loss of contact without a dramatic conflict. Using it for sudden breakups is unnatural.

Related Expressions

Practice

• As we grew older and developed different interests, we started to ___.

  💡 Gradually lose closeness.

  Show answer

  drift apart

• Many long-distance couples find that they ___ if they don't make time to talk.

  💡 Slowly become distant.

  Show answer

  drift apart