splitting the blanket

Verb

split the blanket (third-person singular simple present splits the blanket, present participle splitting the blanket, simple past and past participle split the blanket)

1. To terminate a marriage or marriage-like relationship; to divorce or permanently separate.
   • It mattered to no one that he already had a wife, a white woman named Eliza Allen: they'd split the blanket and dwelt apart, and among the Indians, the Indian marriage took, though not for life nor even long.1995, John B. Sanford, A Book of American Women, →ISBN, page 33
2. (broadly) To dissolve a partnership.
   • "Well, I reckon that splits the blanket," said Will. "Now he knows we ain't buyin' his shakedown, I reckon he'll loose them pet Comanches on us."1992, Ralph Compton, The Goodnight Trail: The Trail Drive, →ISBN, page 24