English idiom

bury the hatchet

Register · Neutral CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end

Word picture

Ending a conflict is pictured as placing a weapon underground where it can no longer be used.

Example

“After years of arguing over the property, the two cousins finally buried the hatchet.”

Recorded usage

These full forms were measured in COCA in 2016–2017. Counts apply to the quoted form, not every use of this idiom; overlapping forms are not added together.

“Bury the hatchet” — 31 recorded occurrences

Grouped source variants; editorially classified here as an idiom. Usage counts are separate from CEFR difficulty.

Dictionary details

Component words

bury hatchet

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

kiss and make up

to reconcile and become friendly again after an argument

mend fences

to rebuild friendly relations after a dispute

a bone of contention

a subject that causes disagreement or argument between people

it takes two to tango

both parties are responsible for a situation

keep the peace

to prevent conflict and maintain calm between people or groups

save face

to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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