Two friends stop arguing, shake hands, and decide to move forward—that’s the perfect moment to bury the hatchet. This idiom is all about reconciliation and putting the past behind you. In this post, we’ll explore the meaning and fascinating origin of bury the hatchet, along with examples and similar phrases you can use when it’s time to make peace.
Meaning of “Bury the Hatchet”
To bury the hatchet means to end a fight or argument and make peace with someone. It’s used when people choose to forgive each other and restore friendly relations after a disagreement.
Here’s how it breaks down:
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Literal meaning (historical): To physically bury a weapon as a sign of peace.
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Figurative meaning (modern): To stop quarreling and reconcile with someone.
🪶 In short: To bury the hatchet means to make peace and move on from conflict.
Origin of “Bury the Hatchet”
This idiom traces back to Native American traditions, particularly among tribes such as the Iroquois and Algonquin. When two tribes reached an agreement to end hostilities, their leaders would literally bury weapons—like tomahawks or hatchets—as a symbolic act of peace.
European settlers recorded this practice as early as the 1600s. Over time, the phrase bury the hatchet found its way into English, taking on the figurative sense of ending disagreements. By the 18th century, it was commonly used in speeches and literature to mean “make peace.”
Today, the idiom keeps that same symbolic power, even though no actual digging is involved!
Examples in Sentences
Here are a few ways to use bury the hatchet naturally in conversation:
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After years of competition, the two companies finally buried the hatchet and partnered on a project.
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It’s time you and your sister buried the hatchet and started talking again.
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The politicians agreed to bury the hatchet for the sake of national unity.
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We had a heated argument last month, but we buried the hatchet over dinner.
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Let’s bury the hatchet and focus on what really matters.
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After their public dispute, both artists buried the hatchet and collaborated on a new song.
Similar Idioms or Phrases
Here are a few other expressions that carry the same message of forgiveness or reconciliation:
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Make amends – To do something to correct a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: She made amends by apologizing and helping fix the problem. -
Let bygones be bygones – To forget past arguments and move forward.
Example: Let’s let bygones be bygones and start fresh. -
Turn over a new leaf – To start again with better intentions.
Example: After their disagreement, he decided to turn over a new leaf. -
Kiss and make up – A casual way of saying to reconcile after a fight.
Example: They argued, but soon kissed and made up.
PERSONAL INSIGHT
I find bury the hatchet to be one of the most meaningful idioms in English. It reminds me that peace takes courage and humility—two qualities that make relationships stronger. Whenever I use it, I think of it as a gentle nudge toward forgiveness and understanding.
CONCLUSION
To bury the hatchet means to forgive, reconcile, and move past conflict. From its powerful Native American origins to its everyday use today, the idiom continues to remind us that peace is worth choosing.
Do you use bury the hatchet in your daily conversations? Share your examples in the comments below—I’d love to read them!