part ways
part ways — idiom
1. to stop being together with someone you were in a romantic relationship or close
to stop being together with someone you were in a romantic relationship or close friendship with, usually by choice.
After five years together, Linh and Théo decided to part ways last summer.
part ways + time phrase indicating relationship duration
The band parted ways with their manager after the failed tour.
part ways with [person/role]
Adaeze and her business partner agreed to part ways when their goals no longer matched.
After ten years of marriage, the couple quietly parted ways with no public announcement.
- break up
more informal, used mainly for romantic relationships
- split up
informal, same scope as break up
- go separate ways
slightly more formal, can cover friendships too
- stay together
continue the relationship
- reconcile
reestablish a relationship after separation
文法句型
part ways with [someone]
[two or more people] part ways
用法筆記
Subject is typically two or more people who had a close bond. The preposition 'with' introduces the person being left; when both parties are mentioned as the subject, 'with' is dropped.
常見錯誤
2. to go in different directions after travelling together or meeting up somewhere
to go in different directions after travelling together or meeting up somewhere such as at a train station, an airport, or the end of a shared journey.
Roya and Gabriela parted ways at the airport after a wonderful trip through Japan.
part ways at [location] after [event]
The hikers parted ways at the foot of the mountain and took different trails home.
We shared a taxi to the bus station and parted ways at the ticket counter.
Anjali and Eitan parted ways at the conference entrance, heading to different workshop rooms.
- say goodbye
more general, implies a verbal farewell
- go off in different directions
more literal, emphasises the physical movement
- meet up
come together at a place
- travel together
continue the shared journey
文法句型
part ways with [someone]
[two or more people] part ways
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (END RELATIONSHIP): in this sense no emotional bond is broken — the people simply separate physically. A location or end-of-journey marker usually follows.
3. to hold a different opinion from someone on a particular matter, especially afte
to hold a different opinion from someone on a particular matter, especially after a discussion or debate in which no agreement was reached.
The two professors parted ways on the best way to teach grammar to young children.
part ways on [topic]
Brooke and her colleague parted ways about the budget plan during the board meeting.
The committee members parted ways over funding the new library or the sports centre.
Although they parted ways on economic policy, the two leaders remained personal friends.
- agree
share the same opinion
- see eye to eye
idiom meaning to fully agree
文法句型
part ways with [someone] on/about [topic]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'on', 'about', or 'over' to introduce the topic of disagreement. The people involved may still have a good relationship otherwise — this sense does not imply a relationship is ending.