a house divided against itself cannot stand
proverb If a group's members are in perpetual disagreement, the group will eventually cease to exist. The phrase is derived from a verse in the Bible (Mark 3:25) and was popularized in an 1858 speech by Abraham Lincoln. The candidate urged the members of his political party to unite because he understood that a house divided against itself cannot stand. You'll never get everyone on the same page if they keep up this in-fighting. Please remind them that a house divided against itself cannot stand. It's no wonder that Abraham Lincoln, on the eve of the Civil War, drew from the Biblical notion that "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
divide (something) by (something)
To divide something into a specified number of parts, which is stated after "by." OK class, now what is the answer when we divide six by two? I need to divide 16 by 4? OK, the answer's 4. If he would only memorize his multiplication tables, he wouldn't struggle to divide 25 by 5.
divide (something) fifty-fifty
To split something evenly between both parties. I promised the kids that I would divide the last cookie fifty-fifty. Because you helped me so much with the yard sale, I want to divide the profits fifty-fifty. Let's just divide the bill fifty-fifty.
divide and conquer
1. To gain or maintain power by generating tension among others, especially those less powerful, so that they cannot unite in opposition. Rachel is so popular because she divides and conquers all of her minions and makes sure they all dislike each other. He's a dictator, so of course he wants to divide and conquer ordinary folks like us. The extremist faction has begun to divide and govern. They've turned the other parties against each other, giving them the chance to rise to power.
2. To accomplish something by having several people work on it separately and simultaneously. The only way we'll ever get this project finished on time is if we divide and conquer. I'll put the slides together while you type up the hand-out. Let's divide and conquer—you work on the script and I'll work on the costumes. This isn't really the sort of task we can divide and conquer. I mean, we both have to read the book for the test.
divide and govern
To gain or maintain power by fomenting discord among people so that they do not unite in opposition. Sometimes used as a modifier before a noun. The despot held onto power by dividing and governing, keeping any would-be opponents fractured and powerless through effective disinformation campaigns. The extremist faction has taken a distinct divide-and-govern approach. They turned the other parties against each other, giving them the chance to rise to power. He's a dictator, so of course he wants to divide and govern ordinary folks like us.
divide and rule
To gain or maintain power by fomenting discord among people so that they do not unite in opposition. The ascendancy of the faction occurred because they were able to divide and rule—they fooled the other parties into fighting while they rose to power. He's a dictator, so of course he wants to divide and rule ordinary folks like us. The despot knew that, to stay in power, he had to divide and rule by keeping any would-be opponents fractured and powerless through effective disinformation campaigns.
divide up
To divide and dole out portions of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "divide" and "up." All right, let's divide up the cash and then go our separate ways. Make sure you divide the pizza up equally this time! I don't want to get just a single piece like last time. Let's divide up the remaining work—I'll put the slides together while you type up the hand-out.
divided against itself
In perpetual disagreement, as of the members of a group. The phrase is derived from "a house divided against itself cannot stand," a Bible verse (Mark 3:25) that was popularized in an 1858 speech by Abraham Lincoln. The candidate urged the members of his political party to unite because he understood that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We cannot keep up this in-fighting. Please remind everyone that our group will never succeed if it is divided against itself. It's no wonder that Abraham Lincoln, on the eve of the Civil War, drew from the Biblical notion that "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
divided on (someone or something)
In disagreement about something. With so many senators divided on this tax bill, I doubt it will pass. The principal and the cafeteria monitor are divided on how to punish the boys for starting the food fight. The hiring committee is divided on this candidate. Some are not unconvinced that he has sufficient experience.
grief divided is made lighter
proverb The pain of grief is lessened when one shares one's feelings with others. When my best friend died, I leaned on my family for support and found that grief divided really is made lighter. I know there's a strong temptation to isolate after a loved one dies, but you should really spend time with friends and family. Remember, grief divided is made lighter. A: "I know I need to grieve over the end of our relationship, but I'm just sick of crying." B: "Well, let's talk about how you feel then. They say that grief divided is made lighter."
united we stand(, divided we fall)
We are much more powerful and likely to succeed when we work together toward a common purpose. If we all refuse to work, they will have no choice but to meet our demands, but only if each and every one of us refuses to bend. United we stand, but divided we fall! My fellow citizens, in this dark time, it is important now more than ever to remember that united we stand. It is in that unity that we will overcome this great difficulty that lies before us.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
divided on
having differing opinions about someone or something. Our opinions are divided on what is going to happen. We were divided on Ann. Some of us wanted to choose her; some did not.
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Prov. If the members of a group fight each other, the group will disintegrate. (Often the group under discussion is a family.) The leader of the newly formed union tried hard to reconcile the different factions within his organization, because he knew that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Prov. People who join together as a group are much harder to defeat than they would be separately. The tenants of this building must band together if we are to make the landlord agree to our demands. United we stand, divided we fall! We had better all agree on what we are going to say to the boss before we go in there and say it. United we stand, divided we fall.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.