draw a line under
End the matter
To draw a line under something is to mark it as finished and move on, refusing to dwell on it further: Let's draw a line under this whole episode and start fresh.
The image is of underlining a final entry before closing the books.
Primarily British; Americans more often say "draw a line" or "put it behind us."
- decideReach a conclusion
- concludeEnd or infer
- finalizeSettle decisively
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
- let it goCease fixating on something
reconcile · forgiveness · determine · mark off · settle · call it quits · wrap up · acceptance · resolve · choose · opt · healing · catharsis · finish · select · end · turn the page · underline
closure vs. continuation
draw a line underprolong
Extend in duration
perpetuate · string along · kick the can down the road · defer · table
draw, draws, drawn, drawing, drawings, drawer, drawers, withdraw, withdrawal