business C1 formal

terminate a contract

/ˈtɜːmɪneɪt ə ˈkɒntrækt/

Meaning

This phrase means to bring a legal agreement or contract to an end before its scheduled expiration date. It is a formal, legal term used when one or both parties decide to cancel a business relationship, often due to a breach of terms.

Examples

  • If they fail to meet the delivery deadline, we have the right to terminate the contract.

    If they fail to meet the delivery deadline, we have the right to terminate the contract.

  • The legal department advised us on how to terminate the contract without facing penalties.

    The legal department advised us on how to terminate the contract without facing penalties.

  • We had no choice but to terminate the contract after repeated violations of the non-disclosure agreement.

    We had no choice but to terminate the contract after repeated violations of the non-disclosure agreement.

  • Either party may terminate the contract by providing thirty days' written notice.

    Either party may terminate the contract by providing thirty days' written notice.

  • They decided to terminate their contract with the logistics provider due to poor service quality.

    They decided to terminate their contract with the logistics provider due to poor service quality.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ We decided to finish the contract with our supplier.

    ✓ We decided to terminate the contract with our supplier.

    While 'finish' is understood, 'terminate a contract' is the standard, professional collocation used in business and legal contexts.

  • ✗ The company terminated from the contract early.

    ✓ The company terminated the contract early.

    'Terminate' is used transitively here; you terminate the contract directly, without the preposition 'from.'

Related Expressions

cancel an agreementvoid a contract breach of contract

Practice

  • The legal team is reviewing the clauses that allow us to ___ without penalty.

    💡 Formally end a legal agreement (3 words).

    Show answer

    terminate a contract

  • If you wish to ___, you must submit a written notice 30 days in advance.

    💡 Formally cancel a binding agreement (3 words).

    Show answer

    terminate a contract

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