“Let bygones be bygones”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase Let bygones be bygones means to forget past offenses or grievances and move on without holding a grudge.
Tone The tone of this phrase is forgiving and conciliatory, encouraging people to overlook past issues for the sake of reconciliation or moving forward.
Where it comes from
The phrase dates back to the late 16th century and comes from the idea that past events should be left in the past (bygones meaning things that have gone by).
Examples
- After their argument, they decided to let bygones be bygones and patched up their friendship.
- In order to move on, we need to let bygones be bygones and focus on the future.
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us