cutting ties
Ending all connection
Cutting ties means ending a relationship or connection, usually permanently.
The metaphor suggests severing something that once bound people together—family bonds, business partnerships, friendships.
After the scandal, the university cut ties with its largest donor.
She finally cut ties with her toxic ex.
The phrase implies a deliberate, often difficult decision to disconnect completely.
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- clean breakComplete, uncomplicated severance
- ghostingAbruptly ceasing all communication
no contact · disconnection · separation · end · estrangement · disavowal · part · resignation · alienation · burning bridges · cut · disassociation · closure · apostasy · repudiation · disentanglement · detachment · excommunication
- breakupsbreakup, breaking up, dumped, dumping, it's over
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- figurative actionsburning bridges, biting tongue, burying hatchet, jumping ship, losing face
- quittingquit, resign, resignation, stop, end
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- farewellsgoodbye, farewell, bye, adieu, bye-bye
cutting tieskeeping in touch
holding on · building bridges · committing · bonding · attaching
cutting tiesreconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
reconciling · making amends · mending fences · burying the hatchet · making up
cutting tiesaffiliating
Joining an organization formally
integrating · networking · reaching out · opening up · joining
cutting, tied, untie, tier, ties, cuts, cutter, cutters, untying