drift apart
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle apart
Meanings
Slowly become less close to someone
Why “apart”? A whole opens into separate pieces, or people move away from each other.
“They drifted apart over the years.”
“The cousins drifted apart after school.”
Don't confuse with
Drift apart means slowly become less close to someone. Drift away means gradually become less close to someone.
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 become less close to someone
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
drift off
Same base verb: drift
Gradually fall asleep
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