sever ties

Meaning

'Sever ties' means to suddenly and completely end a relationship, agreement, or association with a person, group, or organization. It is a formal expression often used in professional, diplomatic, or serious personal contexts. It implies a permanent and deliberate decision to cut all contact.

Examples

• After years of disagreements, the company decided to sever ties with its main distributor.

  After years of disagreements, the company decided to sever ties with its main distributor.

• She chose to sever ties with her former business partners to start her own firm.

  She chose to sever ties with her former business partners to start her own firm.

• The country threatened to sever diplomatic ties if the treaty was violated.

  The country threatened to sever diplomatic ties if the treaty was violated.

• He felt it was best to sever ties with his old acquaintances and start fresh.

  He felt it was best to sever ties with his old acquaintances and start fresh.

• The university had to sever ties with the donor after the scandal came to light.

  The university had to sever ties with the donor after the scandal came to light.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He decided to sever his ties from the company.

  ✓ He decided to sever ties with the company.

  We sever ties 'with' someone or something, not 'from' them.

• ✗ She wanted to sever the relationship.

  ✓ She wanted to sever ties.

  While 'sever' can occasionally be used with 'relationship', the collocation 'sever ties' is far more natural and standard.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After the lawsuit, the agency decided to ___ with the subcontractor.

  💡 The phrase means to completely end a professional relationship.

  Show answer

  sever ties

• It is sometimes necessary to ___ with toxic people for your own mental health.

  💡 Think of cutting off all communication and association.

  Show answer

  sever ties