letting bygones be bygones
Pardoning old wrongs
Letting bygones be bygones means agreeing to forget past grievances and move forward without resentment.
The phrase typically describes a mutual decision to set aside old conflicts: After years of feuding, the brothers finally let bygones be bygones.
It suggests forgiveness without necessarily requiring apology or resolution—just a willingness to stop dwelling on what happened.
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- no hard feelingsAbsence of lingering resentment
rapprochement · mending fences · harmony · truce · amnesty · mercy · clemency · exoneration · leniency · tolerance · mediation · settlement · water under the bridge · compassion · kiss and make up · unity · grace · resignation
letting bygones be bygonesholding a grudge
keeping score · vindictive · resentful · raking over old coals · bitter
letting bygones be bygonesraking over old coals
Revisiting resolved conflicts unnecessarily
letting bygones be bygonesseeking justice