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# irreconcilable differences

phrase (noun phrase, plural)

«irreconcilable differences» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, official, US) the legal reason given for a divorce when nobody is blamed — the couple cannot get on and their marriage has ended.
2. (literal) disagreements so deep they cannot be settled.

### In the lessons

Used in court papers and by famous people's spokespeople to explain a divorce without saying what really went wrong. Also used about bands, business partners or countries. Register: official, legal; US mainly, known everywhere.

### Examples

- News: The actors are divorcing, citing irreconcilable differences.
- The band split up because of irreconcilable differences.
- The court accepted irreconcilable differences as the reason.
- Joke: My cat and the vacuum cleaner have irreconcilable differences.
- The two partners had irreconcilable differences about money.
- Chat: «irreconcilable differences» means they won't say why

### Note

It hides the real reasons. «Irreconcilable» means cannot be made friendly again. It is not a crime or blame. Plain words: they cannot get on, so they are divorcing.