drift apart
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle apart
Meanings
Of two or more people, slowly become less close to each other
Why “apart”? A whole separates into pieces, or people become more distant from each other.
“They drifted apart over the years.”
“The cousins drifted apart after school.”
Don't confuse with
Drift apart focuses on people becoming less close to each other. Drift away focuses on one person's contact with others.
Test yourself
“They drifted apart over the years.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drift away
A contrast learners often mix up
Slip out of awareness slowly; Gradually lose contact with a person or group
come apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into pieces or stop holding together
fall apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into separate pieces because something is broken; Become unable to cope emotionally; (of a relationship, plan or system) Collapse
grow apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Gradually become less interested in each other
pull apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Separate two people or things by force
take apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Disassemble completely; Criticise harshly
tear apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Cause great unhappiness, especially in a group; Pull something so hard that it breaks into pieces; Criticise someone or something very severely
drift off
Same base verb: drift
Gradually fall asleep
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