I was reading a light novel and I looked up the meaning of 袂を分かつ, but I
wonder, can someone explain this expression in more detail as to why it means
break off relations with/part with someone?  
Tamoto (袂)is part of the kimono sleeve, so taken literally as 'cutting the
sleeve' how does it relate to cutting of a relationship?
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2019-05-22T09:22:58.407
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2019-05-22T11:35:44.773
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question
translation expressions
袂を分かつ Can someone explain this expression?
There is a useful explanation of this phrase at this link
[here](https://usable-idioms.com/1784).

A quick summary is as follows:

The 袂 (たもと) is a part of the sleeve of the kimono which hangs down to the
side, sometimes even stretching below the hands. In fact, the word たもと appears
to be a variant of 手元 (てもと). As such, the word took on the additional meaning
of 'beside', 'next to' [(see
definition)](https://kotobank.jp/word/%E8%A2%82-563105), since it hung down to
the side of the body.

The word 分かつ has the same standard meanings of 分ける, i.e. 'to divide', 'to
separate', etc [(see
definition)](https://kotobank.jp/jeword/%E5%88%86%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B).

So the phrase 袂を分かつ took on the figurative meaning of 'separating from what is
next to you'. In other words, to break off a connection with someone who used
to be close to you. It seems to apply more to non-romantic relationships, such
as a friendship which has soured or a working relationship with a colleague
which has become strained. The examples listed are:

> この間、ついに大喧嘩してしまい、袂を分かつことになった。

and

> そろそろその人とは、袂を分かつときが来たのかなと感じている。

And by the way, please don't confuse it with トマトを分かつ.  
_(That was my attempt at a joke)._
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2019-05-22T11:35:44.773
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answer