drive a wedge between

Meaning

To cause a split, division, or disagreement between two people or groups who previously had a good relationship. It implies that an external force, action, or person is actively damaging the bond between them, pushing them apart.

Examples

• His constant interference is starting to drive a wedge between the two brothers.

  His constant interference is starting to drive a wedge between the two brothers.

• Don't let a simple misunderstanding drive a wedge between you and your best friend.

  Don't let a simple misunderstanding drive a wedge between you and your best friend.

• The argument about their parents' inheritance drove a wedge between the sisters.

  The argument about their parents' inheritance drove a wedge between the sisters.

• An ambitious colleague tried to drive a wedge between the co-founders.

  An ambitious colleague tried to drive a wedge between the co-founders.

• Rumors and gossip can easily drive a wedge between even the closest couples.

  Rumors and gossip can easily drive a wedge between even the closest couples.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She tried to drive a wedge among the married couple.

  ✓ She tried to drive a wedge between the married couple.

  Since a wedge is driven between two sides, the preposition 'between' must be used, even if referring to a collective group of two.

• ✗ The secret did a wedge between them.

  ✓ The secret drove a wedge between them.

  The verb in this idiom is always 'drive' (or its past forms like 'drove'). You cannot substitute it with 'do' or 'make'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I promise I will never let my family ___ us.

  💡 damage our relationship and push us apart

  Show answer

  drive a wedge between

• Their differing political views eventually ___ the two lifelong friends.

  💡 split or divided them (use past tense)

  Show answer

  drove a wedge between