分道扬镳 part ways
Explanation
比喻目标不同，各走各的路或各干各的事。
It means that one has different goals and goes separate ways or does different things.
Origin Story
话说北魏孝文帝迁都洛阳后，朝廷上下百官纷纷进京。一日，洛阳县令元志与御史中尉李彪在前往洛阳的官道上相遇。元志自恃官职高于李彪，便摆出一副盛气凌人的架势。李彪亦不甘示弱，认为自己地位比元志高贵。两人为官职高低争执不下，最后决定去请孝文帝裁决。孝文帝听罢，哈哈大笑，说道："洛阳乃寡人治下的都城，你们二人何必如此计较？各自为政，为朝廷效力，岂不更好？洛阳就是寡人的丰沛，自应分路扬镳，你们各走各的道就是。"元志和李彪听罢，恍然大悟，各自领命，从此分道扬镳，再未发生过冲突。从此以后，两人各自尽职尽责，为朝廷做出了不少贡献。这个故事告诉我们，在目标不同的时候，不必强求一致，各自努力，也能为同一个目标做出贡献。
It is said that after Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang, officials from all over the court flocked to the capital. One day, Yuan Zhi, the magistrate of Luoyang County, and Li Biao, the imperial censor, met on the official road to Luoyang. Yuan Zhi, who boasted of his higher position than Li Biao, behaved arrogantly and condescendingly. Li Biao also refused to yield, claiming that his position was more noble than Yuan Zhi's. The two argued over their respective ranks and finally decided to ask Emperor Xiaowen for a judgment. Emperor Xiaowen listened to their dispute and laughed loudly. He said, "Luoyang is the capital of my empire. Why do you worry so much about your positions? If each of you does your job and serves the court, wouldn't that be much better? Luoyang is my Fengpei, we should part ways. Everyone should go his own way." Yuan Zhi and Li Biao were enlightened and went their separate ways. From that day on, they devoted themselves to their duties and made valuable contributions to the court. This story teaches us that when our goals are different, we don't have to insist on agreeing. If everyone does their best, everyone can contribute to the success of the common goal.
Usage
常用于比喻人因目标不同而各奔东西，各干各的事。
It is often used to illustrate how people go separate ways and do different things because of different goals.
Examples
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他们两人目标不同，最终分道扬镳。
tamen liang ren mubiao butong, zhongjiu fendao yangbiao
They had different goals and eventually parted ways.
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大学毕业后，昔日的朋友们各奔东西，分道扬镳。
daxue biyehou, xiri de pengyoumen geben dongxi, fendao yangbiao
After graduating from college, former friends went their separate ways, parting ways.