bear the scars
Show lasting damage
To bear the scars is to carry lasting evidence of past trauma, injury, or hardship.
The phrase works literally for physical marks left by wounds, but more often appears figuratively: She still bears the scars of her parents' divorce.
The implication is that damage has healed but left permanent traces—survival marked by visible or emotional reminders.
- live throughExperience and outlast
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- keloidOvergrown scar tissue
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- regretSorrow over past actions
emotional baggage · inner demons · perseverance · endurance · fortitude · war stories · redemption · transformation · loss · betrayal · wound · deep cuts · shame · grief · heartbreak · wisdom · bruise · survival
bear the scarsmade whole
Restored to completeness
healed over · good as new · restored · mended · recuperated
bear the scarsmoved on
Proceeded after pausing
overcome · transcended · unburdened · forgiven and forgotten · turned the page
bear, bears, bearing, bearer, bearers, bearable, unbearable, forbear, forbearance