Idiom “bury the hatchet” means to end a quarrel or conflict and make peace. It’s about letting go of old disagreements, forgiving one another, and moving forward with a renewed, peaceful relationship.
The Origin of Idiom Bury the Hatchet
The expression has a beautiful and literal origin. It comes from a practice among some Native American groups, particularly the Iroquois Confederacy. When warring groups made a peace agreement, they would hold a ceremony where they literally buried their weapons—tomahawks, clubs, and hatchets—in the ground as a symbol that the fighting was over. Burying the weapons meant they would not be used again, cementing the peace treaty in a powerful, tangible way.
How to Use It in a Sentence
Personal:
“You know, we’ve been arguing about this for weeks. It’s not worth ruining our friendship. What do you say we just bury the hatchet?”•
Family:
“After years of not speaking, my brother and I finally decided to bury the hatchet at the family reunion.”•
Professional:
“The two rival CEOs publicly shook hands, agreeing it was time to bury the hatchet and work together for the good of the industry.
“How to Respond If Someone Says This to You If you agree, you could say:• “I’d like that very much. Let’s move on.“• “Absolutely. The hatchet is buried.“• “Thank you for saying that. I agree, it’s time to make peace.“
So, if you’re offering, consider the hatchet buried! It’s always a good time to make peace.