drive a wedge: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    Generalneutral
    • To cause division, disagreement, or estrangement between people or groups; to create a rift.

    Examples

    Beta

    • His harsh comments drove a wedge between the siblings, causing a rift that lasted for years.

      His severe remarks caused disagreement and separation between the brothers and sisters for many years.

    • The controversial decision drove a wedge in the community, splitting neighbors into opposing camps.

      The disputed decision caused division in the community, dividing neighbors into conflicting groups.

    • You shouldn’t say things that drive a wedge between your friends; try to bring them together instead.

      Avoid saying things that create disagreement among your friends; aim to unite them.

  • 2.

    Generalneutralmilitary
    • To force a gap or breach into an opposing formation or group, thereby splitting it into separate parts.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The general ordered his troops to drive a wedge into the enemy’s formation to break their lines.

      The commander instructed his soldiers to force a gap in the opposing forces to disrupt their ranks.

    • By deploying the cavalry here, they drove a wedge between the two opposing battalions.

      Placing the cavalry in this position separated the two enemy battalions.

    • The invading force succeeded in driving a wedge into the defenders’ perimeter, causing chaos.

      The attackers managed to split the defenders’ perimeter, leading to disorder.

Examples:

  • EN: Because he wanted to drive a wedge between Madeleine and me, he wanted to take over the company.
    ES: Porque quería abrir una brecha entre la Madeleine y yo, que quería hacerse cargo de la empresa.
  • EN: Our strategic withdrawal from Saint-Lo has made it possible, my Fuhrer, for us to drive a wedge into the enemy front right here, in the vicinity of Mortain.
    ES: Nuestra retirada estratégica de Saint-Lô ha hecho posible que podamos introducir una cuña en el frente enemigo cerca de Mortain.
  • EN: They're trying to drive a wedge between us
    ES: Están intentando meter cizaña entre nosotros.
  • EN: It's this way, Eleanor. To begin with, he wanted to drive a wedge into Central Europe, so that keep the Russians out of Austria and Romania, and, possibly, out of Hungary.
    ES: Verás, Eleanor, ante todo él quería clavar una cuña en Europa Central para cortarles el paso a los rusos a Austria, a Rumanía, y aun de ser posible, a Hungría.
  • EN: If you pose for me, it'll drive a wedge between you and him.
    ES: Si se plantean para mí, lo más fácil es que abrir una brecha entre usted y él.
  • EN: It could be a crude attempt to drive a wedge between Gallifrey and the Third Zone governments.
    ES: Podría ser un burdo intento de sembrar la discordia... entre Gallifrey y los gobiernos de la Tercera Zona.
  • EN: Because now the enemies use every opportunity to demoralize our young people, to tear them away from the Party, to drive a wedge between fathers and children.
    ES: Los enemigos aprovechan cualquier oportunidad para corromper a nuestra juventud, para separarla del Partido, para poner barreras entre padres e hijos.
  • EN: Riders will drive a wedge through the police line...
    ES: Los Riders abrirán una brecha entre la Policía...
  • EN: They want to drive a wedge through this community, cut us up to pieces...
    ES: Quieren abrir una brecha en esta comunidad, hacernos pelear entre nosotros ...
  • EN: - Look, I don't know what goes on in that fevered, fairy imagination of yours, or why you came here to drive a wedge between me and my son, but I do know you're making me mad.
    ES: - Mira, no sé qué te pasa por esa calenturienta imaginación ni por qué quieres cavar una zanja ente mi hijo y yo, pero lo que sé es que me estás volviendo loco, me estás jorobando.
  • EN: Do not try to drive a wedge between us, Captain.
    ES: No intente enemistarnos, capitán.
  • EN: They're using every dirty trick they can to drive a wedge between us and the Spanish.
    ES: Están utilizando todas las tretas y artimañas que pueden para meter una cuña entre nosotros y los españoles.
    ES: Están utilizando todas las tretas y artimañas que pueden para meter una cuña entre nosotros y los españoles.
  • EN: He acts as if I'm trying to drive a wedge between you again.
    ES: Actúa como si yo otra vez tratara de enemistarlos a ustedes dos.
  • EN: To drive a wedge between Lois and Clark.
    ES: Provocar distanciamiento entre Lois y Clark.
  • EN: We'll drive a wedge along the shore to split his forces.
    ES: Les atacaremos y dispersaremos sus fuerzas.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary