parting of the ways
The point where a road or path divides; a fork.
They stood undecided at a parting of the ways, where a forest path forked.
A time or place where a choice must be made; a deciding point.
He had come to a parting of the ways: he had to choose the high school courses that would prepare him for college, or the courses that would prepare him for business.
party line
Ideas, policies, and goals set forth by the leadership of a group or organization.
Dan seldom has an original idea but he keeps faithfully repeating his company's party line.
party to
Concerned with; participating in.
The prosecution has been trying to show that the defendant was party to a fraud.
pick apart
pick to pieces
To criticize harshly; find things wrong with; find fault with.
After the dance, the girls picked Susan apart.
They picked the play to pieces.
To distinguish.
That copy machine is so good that I can’t pick the photocopy and the original apart.
play a part in
To be instrumental in; have a role in; be concerned with.
Some First Ladies play a greater part in political life than others.
poles apart
Completely different.
The two brothers were poles apart in personality.
It was hard for the members to make any decisions because their ideas were poles apart.
put cart before the horse
get cart before the horse
have cart before the horse
Things in wrong order; something backwards or mixed up. An overused expression. Usually used with put but sometimes with get or have.
When the salesman wanted money for goods he hadn't delivered, I told him he was putting the cart before the horse.
To get married first and then get a job is getting the cart before the horse.
quarterback sneak
A football play in which the quarterback takes the ball from the center and dives straight ahead in an attempt to gain a very short distance.
Johnson took the ball over on a quarterback sneak for a touchdown.