forgive and forget
Let bygones be
To forgive and forget is to pardon an offense and then put it out of mind entirely—not just releasing resentment but acting as if the wrong never happened.
The phrase acknowledges that forgiveness alone doesn't guarantee you'll stop dwelling on what was done: I've forgiven him, but I can't forget.
Often used as advice or aspiration: Let's just forgive and forget and move on.
- remitSend money owed
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- come to termsAccept or reach agreement
- let it goCease fixating on something
- wipe the slate cleanForgive and forget completely
fresh start · clemency · pardon · bury the hatchet · amnesty · bygones · reconciliation · kiss and make up · redemption · second chance · healing · make up · grace · water under the bridge · acceptance · absolution · turn the other cheek · closure
- moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
- Moving Onlet go, move on, closure, acceptance, fresh start
- acceptance phraseslet it go, it is what it is, such is life, c'est la vie, que sera sera
- Marriage Sayingshappy wife happy life, for better or worse, til death do us part, ball and chain, wedded bliss
- apologiessorry, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology, I am sorry
- expressions about forgetfulnessslipped my mind, drew a blank, blanked out, absentminded, memory like a sieve
forgive and forgethold a grudge
Maintain lasting resentment
bear a grudge · get even · retaliate · avenge · keep score
forgive, forget, forgave, forgiven, forgiving, forgiveness, forgivable, unforgivable, unforgiven