parting of the ways

Idioms  

1. A point of divergence, especially an important one, as in When Jim decided to travel with the band and Jill wanted a more normal home life, they came to a parting of the ways. This term, which transfers a fork in a road to alternative courses of action, appears in the Bible (Ezekiel 21:21), where the king of Babylon must decide whether or not to attack Jerusalem: “[He] stood at the parting of the way.” [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parting of the ways

And in the transfer portal era, that kind of disconnect results in a parting of the ways.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

This would have been more the time of Leeds' choosing for any parting of the ways, but the real threat of relegation has hastened events.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2022

Asked if strategic differences on China meant a long-term parting of the ways between the United States and France, Mr. Le Maire said: “It could be the case if we are not cautious.”

From New York Times ● Oct. 28, 2021

Soon after, the Orlando Magic and Steve Clifford also had one of those “mutual decisions” parting of the ways, leaving open the coaching job that … well, it is a short drive to Disney World.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 7, 2021

I believe MacDowell, when so sorely stricken, was at the parting of the ways.

From Unicorns by Huneker, James

Related Words

• departure
• disengagement
• dissolution
• divorce
• estrangement
• partition
• segregation
• split