I created this collection of 50 idioms for forgiveness to offer a detailed exploration of expressions that capture the act of forgiving. In this collection, I present 20 of the best idioms, 10 humorous idioms, 10 short idioms, and 10 long idioms.
I explain each idiom with a clear definition and a practical example that shows how these expressions help mend relationships and express emotional renewal. My approach reflects careful research and years of experience with language. This resource equips readers with insights that improve communication and deepen understanding of forgiveness in everyday life.
List of All Idioms for Forgiveness
- To err is human, to forgive divine.
- Let bygones be bygones.
- Forgive and forget.
- Bury the hatchet.
- Turn the page.
- Mend fences.
- Make amends.
- Give a second chance.
- Wipe the slate clean.
- Water under the bridge.
- Heal old wounds.
- Let go of grudges.
- Offer a fresh start.
- Extend an olive branch.
- Turn over a new leaf.
- Break the cycle.
- Release resentment.
- Leave the past behind.
- Patch things up.
- Clean slate.
- Forgiveness is cheaper than therapy.
- Let the grudge train run off the rails.
- Drop the beef and grab a laugh.
- Clear your slate like clearing your browser history.
- Forgive like you’re forgetting your password.
- Shake off grudges like shaking off a burr.
- Let go of anger like a bad phone call.
- Forgiveness is like a free Wi-Fi connection.
- Erase grudges like erasing a chalkboard.
- Let the past go like last season’s fashion.
- Forgive and forget.
- Let bygones be bygones.
- Bury the hatchet.
- Clean slate.
- Mend fences.
- Patch things up.
- Drop grudges.
- Let it go.
- Move on.
- No hard feelings.
- Forgiveness heals the heart, mends the bond, and frees the soul from the weight of anger.
- Holding on to resentment clouds the mind and blinds you to future joys.
- Releasing anger and welcoming forgiveness opens the door to a brighter tomorrow.
- A heavy heart finds relief when forgiveness replaces the burden of past mistakes.
- When grudges dissolve, the spirit finds a new chance to soar in peace.
- Forgiving others transforms sorrow into lessons that pave the way for growth.
- In forgiving, one discovers that the greatest strength lies in letting go of bitterness.
- True forgiveness does not erase the wrong, but replaces it with hope for change.
- As forgiveness flows, wounds mend and relationships renew.
- A life free from grudges becomes a canvas for fresh beginnings and enduring trust.
Best Idioms for Forgiveness
To err is human, to forgive divine.
This idiom states that making mistakes is natural and forgiving is a noble act.
Example: After a serious misunderstanding, she remembered that to err is human, to forgive divine.
Let bygones be bygones.
This phrase advises leaving past offenses behind.
Example: The colleagues decided to let bygones be bygones after resolving their dispute.
Forgive and forget.
This idiom implies that one should pardon mistakes and move forward without dwelling on them.
Example: He chose to forgive and forget, ending a long period of tension.
Bury the hatchet.
This idiom means to reconcile and settle differences.
Example: After years of rivalry, the neighbors agreed to bury the hatchet.
Turn the page.
This phrase encourages moving on from past events.
Example: She decided to turn the page after the painful incident.
Mend fences.
This idiom suggests repairing damaged relationships.
Example: The team worked together to mend fences following a misunderstanding.
Make amends.
This idiom means to compensate for a mistake or hurt caused.
Example: He tried to make amends after his harsh words hurt a friend.
Give a second chance.
This idiom advises offering another opportunity after an error.
Example: She chose to give a second chance to her teammate after the error.
Wipe the slate clean.
This phrase means to start fresh without holding past mistakes against someone.
Example: The group agreed to wipe the slate clean after the conflict.
Water under the bridge.
This idiom indicates that past disputes have lost their importance.
Example: They considered the old argument as water under the bridge.
Heal old wounds.
This idiom suggests that time and forgiveness can repair past hurts.
Example: With sincere apologies, the family managed to heal old wounds.
Let go of grudges.
This phrase advises releasing long-held resentment.
Example: He chose to let go of grudges and rebuild the broken bond.
Offer a fresh start.
This idiom means to provide an opportunity for a new beginning.
Example: After the dispute, they decided to offer a fresh start.
Extend an olive branch.
This idiom suggests initiating reconciliation by offering peace.
Example: In a kind gesture, she extended an olive branch to her former rival.
Turn over a new leaf.
This phrase means to start a new chapter in life by changing behavior.
Example: He turned over a new leaf after acknowledging his mistakes.
Break the cycle.
This idiom advises stopping a recurring pattern of conflict.
Example: They worked together to break the cycle of constant arguments.
Release resentment.
This phrase means to free oneself from lingering anger.
Example: She decided to release resentment and move forward peacefully.
Leave the past behind.
This idiom means to stop dwelling on previous mistakes.
Example: He chose to leave the past behind and focus on new opportunities.
Patch things up.
This phrase means to repair a damaged relationship.
Example: After a long dispute, they took steps to patch things up.
Clean slate.
This idiom implies starting over without the burden of past errors.
Example: The new project began with a clean slate for everyone involved.
Funny Idioms for Forgiveness
Forgiveness is cheaper than therapy.
This idiom compares forgiving to avoiding the cost and stress of prolonged resentment.
Example: After the mix-up, he joked that forgiveness is cheaper than therapy.
Let the grudge train run off the rails.
This phrase suggests abandoning a continuous ride of resentment.
Example: She decided to let the grudge train run off the rails after a minor mishap.
Drop the beef and grab a laugh.
This idiom advises leaving conflicts behind in favor of enjoying light moments.
Example: He told his friend to drop the beef and grab a laugh following their spat.
Clear your slate like clearing your browser history.
This phrase compares forgiveness to quickly erasing past records.
Example: After their argument, she cleared her slate like clearing her browser history.
Forgive like you’re forgetting your password.
This idiom implies that forgiveness can occur instantly, much like resetting a forgotten password.
Example: He forgave like he was forgetting his password and moved on.
Shake off grudges like shaking off a burr.
This phrase means to remove resentment as swiftly as one shakes off a burr.
Example: She shook off grudges like shaking off a burr and carried on with her day.
Let go of anger like a bad phone call.
This idiom suggests dismissing anger as one would end an unwanted call.
Example: He let go of anger like a bad phone call and forgave without delay.
Forgiveness is like a free Wi-Fi connection.
This idiom compares the ease and benefits of forgiveness to accessing free Wi-Fi.
Example: After the incident, she observed that forgiveness is like a free Wi-Fi connection.
Erase grudges like erasing a chalkboard.
This phrase means to remove resentment completely, similar to wiping a chalkboard clean.
Example: He erased grudges like erasing a chalkboard and began a fresh start.
Let the past go like last season’s fashion.
This idiom advises discarding old grievances as one would outdated trends.
Example: She let the past go like last season’s fashion and embraced the present.
Short Idioms for Forgiveness
Forgive and forget.
This idiom means to pardon mistakes and move forward without holding onto resentment.
Example: He practiced forgive and forget after the minor argument.
Let bygones be bygones.
This phrase means to disregard past offenses.
Example: They agreed to let bygones be bygones after resolving their conflict.
Bury the hatchet.
This idiom means to end a quarrel and restore harmony.
Example: The rivals chose to bury the hatchet and rebuild trust.
Clean slate.
This phrase implies starting over without the burden of past errors.
Example: The new manager promised a clean slate for every team member.
Mend fences.
This idiom suggests repairing broken relationships.
Example: The friends decided to mend fences after their disagreement.
Patch things up.
This phrase means to fix a damaged relationship.
Example: They worked to patch things up after the misunderstanding.
Drop grudges.
This idiom advises releasing lingering resentment.
Example: He chose to drop grudges and move forward after the conflict.
Let it go.
This phrase means to release past mistakes.
Example: She opted to let it go and focus on the future.
Move on.
This idiom means to progress beyond past conflicts.
Example: He encouraged everyone to move on after settling their differences.
No hard feelings.
This phrase indicates that no resentment remains after an apology.
Example: They concluded their conversation with no hard feelings between them.
Long Idioms for Forgiveness
Forgiveness heals the heart, mends the bond, and frees the soul from the weight of anger.
This idiom expresses that forgiving brings emotional relief and repairs relationships.
Example: After years of conflict, they learned that forgiveness heals the heart, mends the bond, and frees the soul from the weight of anger.
Holding on to resentment clouds the mind and blinds you to future joys.
This idiom means that harboring anger limits the ability to experience happiness.
Example: He realized that holding on to resentment clouds the mind and blinds you to future joys.
Releasing anger and welcoming forgiveness opens the door to a brighter tomorrow.
This idiom suggests that letting go of anger paves the way for improved relationships.
Example: She found that releasing anger and welcoming forgiveness opens the door to a brighter tomorrow.
A heavy heart finds relief when forgiveness replaces the burden of past mistakes.
This idiom means that forgiveness lightens emotional burdens and fosters healing.
Example: He experienced relief, for a heavy heart finds relief when forgiveness replaces the burden of past mistakes.
When grudges dissolve, the spirit finds a new chance to soar in peace.
This idiom means that letting go of resentment creates opportunities for emotional growth.
Example: They embraced the idea that when grudges dissolve, the spirit finds a new chance to soar in peace.
Forgiving others transforms sorrow into lessons that pave the way for growth.
This idiom implies that forgiveness turns negative experiences into valuable lessons.
Example: He learned that forgiving others transforms sorrow into lessons that pave the way for growth.
In forgiving, one discovers that the greatest strength lies in letting go of bitterness.
This idiom means that true strength comes from releasing negative emotions.
Example: She realized that in forgiving, one discovers that the greatest strength lies in letting go of bitterness.
True forgiveness does not erase the wrong, but replaces it with hope for change.
This idiom suggests that forgiveness acknowledges mistakes while fostering optimism for improvement.
Example: He understood that true forgiveness does not erase the wrong, but replaces it with hope for change.
As forgiveness flows, wounds mend and relationships renew.
This idiom indicates that forgiving nurtures healing and restores bonds.
Example: They observed that as forgiveness flows, wounds mend and relationships renew.
A life free from grudges becomes a canvas for fresh beginnings and enduring trust.
This idiom means that releasing resentment opens opportunities for new and lasting relationships.
Example: She embraced the notion that a life free from grudges becomes a canvas for fresh beginnings and enduring trust.
What are idioms for forgiveness?
Idioms for forgiveness are common phrases that express the act of pardoning mistakes or past wrongs in a concise manner.
How do I use these idioms in conversation?
You use these idioms to convey complex emotions in a simple way during both casual and formal interactions.
Why is it useful to understand forgiveness idioms?
Understanding these idioms enhances communication and helps express emotional resilience and the willingness to move forward.
Where do these idioms come from?
These expressions have evolved through cultural history and reflect long-standing traditions in language use.
How does this collection help with language learning?
This collection offers clear definitions and examples that aid in grasping idiomatic expressions, thereby improving language skills and cultural understanding.