When listening to English conversations or reading a written word, you may stumble upon the saying ‘bury the hatchet. But what does this term mean and where did it come from? We are going to answer these questions and take a look at how this phrase can be used in your every day conversations.
“Bury the Hatchet” Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- The phrase “bury the hatchet” means to make peace with someone after a disagreement or conflict. It suggests resolving differences, letting go of past grievances, and reconciling with someone. The expression originates from a Native American custom in which weapons, such as hatchets, were buried as a symbolic gesture of peace between warring parties.
“Bury the Hatchet” Meaning
The phrase “bury the hatchet” means to make peace or reconcile after a period of conflict or disagreement. It implies that individuals are putting aside their differences and grudges to move forward positively. The expression suggests a willingness to forgive and forget past disputes.
Examples:
- “After years of rivalry, the two companies finally decided to bury the hatchet and collaborate on a new project.”
- “It’s time to bury the hatchet and move on; holding onto anger only hurts us both.”
Origin of This Idiom
The term ‘bury the hatchet’ comes from the literal act of burying a hatchet in 19th century Native America. Tribes would typically bury a hatchet to symbolize the end of a dispute or disagreement. The use of the term today is not so literal but metaphorically speaking, it has lived on.
Usage of “Bury the Hatchet”
- In a personal relationship:
“After months of not speaking, they finally decided to bury the hatchet and rekindle their friendship.”
- In a work setting:
“The two managers had a big disagreement last year, but they buried the hatchet and now work well together.”
- Talking about family dynamics:
“The siblings had been feuding for years, but they buried the hatchet at their mother’s birthday celebration.”
- In a diplomatic or political context:
“The two countries decided to bury the hatchet after decades of hostility and start working towards peaceful relations.”
Related Terms to “Bury the Hatchet”
- Make amends – to repair a relationship or correct a mistake.
- Kiss and make up – to reconcile and restore a friendly relationship after a disagreement.
- Patch things up – to resolve a conflict or restore harmony.
- Reconcile – to restore friendly relations or settle differences.
- Shake hands – a gesture of agreement or reconciliation.
- Clear the air – to resolve misunderstandings or tensions in a relationship.
- Forgive and forget – to let go of resentment and move on from past grievances.
- Let bygones be bygones – to allow past conflicts or grievances to be forgotten.
- Mend fences – to repair a damaged relationship.
- Come to terms – to reach an agreement or understanding after a disagreement.
Other Ways to Say the Phrase
There are other ways in which you might express the meaning of the term ‘bury the hatchet.’ Here are some examples of how you might say it.
- Lay things to rest
- Make it up with one another
- Make peace
- Stop fighting
- Stop arguing
- Reconciliation
“Bury the Hatchet” Examples
You would use this saying in a situation where you wanted to make peace with a friend or loved one, you might say:
- ‘OK, enough is enough, there is no point in continuing to argue about this. Let’s bury the hatchet.’
Or you could also use it when giving advice to someone who is having difficulties with another person by saying something along the lines of
- ‘Perhaps it is time that you and David bury the hatchet and move on.’
Other examples:
- All right! Let’s bury the hatchet and be friends.
- If I were you, I’d bury the hatchet.
- The two countries decided to finally bury the hatchet.
- Just bury the hatchet and go have a drink together!
Conversation examples
If you are interested in how this idiomatic phrase might fit into conversation, here are some examples.
Conversation 1:
- Person 1: “I am so tired of getting into a disagreement with Carol over this legal battle.”
- Person 2: “Perhaps it is time for you two to bury the hatchet.”
Conversation 2:
- Person 1: “I can see that we are never going to agree on this matter. What’s the use in fighting over it?”
- Person 2: “You’re right, let’s bury the hatchet.”