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Synonyms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Coyle replaces Malloe, a universally beloved and respected assistant who left the team last week as part of what was described as a mutual parting of the ways after the team’s disappointing start.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2025

The prize came at a parting of the ways with his mentor Rutherford, as they differed about new equipment to advance their research.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2023

A parting of the ways in January looks increasingly like the best solution for everyone.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 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

This was really the parting of the ways.

From Thomas Jefferson The Apostle of Americanism by Chinard, Gilbert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.