He started to inch away from his old friends.
inch away
idiomTo begin to change one's position on a topic; to subtly distance oneself from previous associates, ideas, etc.
The politician began to inch away from his previous promises as the election date drew closer.
As the scandal unfolded, the board members began to inch away from the CEO, hoping to protect their own reputations from the fallout.
- 01
away game
An athletic contest played away from the team's home field.
- 02
away with the fairies
Not all there; slightly crazy.
- 03
bang away
to strike or hit repeatedly
- 04
bear away the bell
To be superior in something.
- 05
beaver away
To work hard at a task.
- 06
blaze away
To fire (firearms) repeatedly.
- 07
blow away
To kill (someone) by shooting them with a firearm.
- 08
blow the cobwebs away
To make changes for space for new fresh ideas