stay on good terms

Meaning

To maintain a friendly, polite, and cooperative relationship with someone, especially after a breakup, a disagreement, or a change in circumstances (like leaving a job). It is neutral, practical, and highly valued in social and professional life.

Examples

• Even though they broke up last year, they managed to stay on good terms.

  Even though they broke up last year, they managed to stay on good terms.

• It's important to stay on good terms with your ex-partner, especially if you have kids together.

  It's important to stay on good terms with your ex-partner, especially if you have kids together.

• I always try to stay on good terms with my roommates to avoid drama at home.

  I always try to stay on good terms with my roommates to avoid drama at home.

• She left the company last month but made sure to stay on good terms with her former boss.

  She left the company last month but made sure to stay on good terms with her former boss.

• Despite their political differences, the two neighbors managed to stay on good terms.

  Despite their political differences, the two neighbors managed to stay on good terms.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They stayed in good terms after the divorce.

  ✓ They stayed on good terms after the divorce.

  The correct preposition is 'on', not 'in'.

• ✗ We want to stay on a good term with them.

  ✓ We want to stay on good terms with them.

  'Terms' must always be plural in this expression.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Even though we don't date anymore, I still want to ___ with her.

  💡 maintain a friendly relationship

  Show answer

  stay on good terms

• It can be difficult to ___ with your landlord when there are repairs needed.

  💡 keep a polite and friendly connection

  Show answer

  stay on good terms