parting of the ways
3
6.1
- noun
- /ˈpɑrtɪŋ əv ðə weɪz/
- You know I didn't retire, that the agency and I had a parting of the ways.
- come to a parting of the ways
Examples
-
After two years of college, we came to what we called "the parting of the ways."
Academic text (2008) -
Then came the parting of the ways, Big Jim to his mine, our hero to his fate.
-
We had a parting of the ways.
Fiction book (1999) -
Charlotte and I have come to a parting of the ways.
-
And now, following some awful fight, he and Daddy had had a "parting of the ways," as Mama put it.
Fiction book (1997) -
Sounds like an amicable parting of the ways.
Blog text (18) -
It was an amicable parting of the ways.
-
Now, Cletus, if you had some small change, the missus and I have had a parting of the ways of a sort.
-
I'm sorry, but we've come to a parting of the ways, UMart and you.
-
After two years of collaboration, we reached a parting of the ways due to our different goals.
Synonyms
160
4.2
A strong disagreement that separates people in a group
119
3.4
The end of a relationship, often between romantic partners or groups
118
3.4
An ending of a relationship or cooperation after disagreement
115
6.0
A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension
53
3.2
To leave or say goodbye to someone
31
4.4
A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship
22
6.8
The official ending of a group like a partnership or parliament
1
8.1
A situation when people or groups are not united
1
4.3
An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden
1
5.0
An act of leaving a group suddenly to be on your own
Antonyms
How Separate
17
8.7
119
3.4
3
6.1
98
4.2
231
1.6
214
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a moment when people or groups separate' is directly derivable from 'parting' (separating) combined with 'ways' (directions/paths). This is a compositional phrase following the common metaphor of going different ways, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer its meaning.
Etymology
The phrase parting of the ways may come from the image of a parting where a road divides into two ways, or paths, and people must choose different directions. That's why it means 'a moment when people or groups separate and go in different directions'.