parted ways

Verb

part ways (third-person singular simple present parts ways, present participle parting ways, simple past and past participle parted ways)

1. To go in different directions.
   • The two friends parted ways at the intersection.
2. (broadly, figuratively) To end a relationship; to pursue a certain choice, course of action, etc. in a way that alienates or reduces communication with a partner.
   • A relationship that Mr. [Barret] Zoph had with a Thinking Machines employee became public, and Ms. [Mira] Murati — who posted a public message about having “parted ways” with Mr. Zoph — has faced questions over her reasons for firing him and the state of the company.2026 January 22, Cade Metz, Kalley Huang, Mike Isaac, quoting Mira Murati, “The A.I. Start-Up Soap Opera Riveting Silicon Valley”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company...