come between: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “come between” mean?
to cause a separation or conflict between people, damaging or interrupting their relationship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to cause a separation or conflict between people, damaging or interrupting their relationship.
to intervene, obstruct, or interfere with something; to be a source of division or discord.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The usage is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Consistently negative, implying unwelcome interference or the breaking of a bond.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “come between” in a Sentence
[something] comes between [Person A] and [Person B][Person A] will not let [something] come between them and [Person B]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “come between” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I won't let a silly argument come between us.
- Their shared love of football came between them and their studies.
American English
- Don't let politics come between you and your family.
- His new job came between him and his old friends.
adjective
British English
- The *coming-between* influence of social media is well-documented.
American English
- He played a *come-between* role in the negotiations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when office politics or rivalries disrupt teamwork.
Academic
Used in social sciences to discuss factors dividing groups.
Everyday
Commonly used in personal relationship contexts.
Technical
Rare; not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “come between”
- Using 'come in between' (less standard) instead of 'come between'.
- Incorrect word order: 'He came his friends between.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a non-separable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'come something between'.
Yes, though it's most common for people. You can say 'Don't let fear come between you and your dreams.'
Verbs like 'unite', 'reconcile', or 'bring together' express the opposite idea.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, synonyms like 'estrange' or 'cause a rift between' might be preferred.
to cause a separation or conflict between people, damaging or interrupting their relationship.
Come between: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌm bɪˈtwiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkʌm bɪˈtwin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let nothing come between us.”
- “Money should never come between friends.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a jealous third person physically walking (coming) to stand BETWEEN two friends, blocking them from seeing each other.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIP IS PROXIMITY / HARMONY IS UNITY (Disruption is an intervening object).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'come between' primarily express?