Bury the Hatchet — Meaning, Usage & Examples

What it means...

To end a fight and make peace with someone.

When you bury the hatchet, you agree to stop arguing and move on.

It is used when two people or groups let go of an old quarrel and start getting along again.

Use it when…

When two people who have been arguing agree to forgive each other and move on
When colleagues who had a falling out decide to put the conflict aside for the good of the team
When two people reach out after a long period of silence to repair a relationship

Don’t confuse with...

"Shake Hands"

—

A formal gesture of agreement or conclusion, not always involving past conflict

"Let Bygones Be Bygones"

—

Choosing not to dwell on past mistakes or wrongs, moving forward without reconciliation

"Bury the Hatchet"

—

Actively ending a conflict and making peace with someone

Where you’ll hear it

You’ll hear the "Bury the Hatchet" idiom in real life — at work, in relationships, or in the media.

Work & Business

Management

A manager calls both team members into her office and asks them to bury the hatchet before the project launch.

Relationships & Social Life

Family

Two brothers bury the hatchet after years of silence and meet for the first time at their parents' anniversary.

Media & Everyday Life

News

Two rival companies bury the hatchet and announce a surprising joint venture that shocks the industry.

‹›

Use it like this

Here’s how to use "Bury the Hatchet" idiom naturally in real conversations, with real examples.

Work & Business

Talking to Colleague

Colleague

Things have been tense between me and Daniel since the presentation incident.

You

Maybe it's time to bury the hatchet — a short conversation could fix everything.

Relationships

Resolving Issues

Partner

We've been arguing about this for weeks and it's exhausting.

You

I agree — can we just bury the hatchet and figure out a way forward together?

Everyday Conversations

Storytelling

Friend

Did you ever make up with your old business partner?

You

We finally buried the hatchet last year — it took a long time but I'm glad we did.

‹›

Last updated:

October 4, 2026

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