What does “Bury the hatchet” mean?
To end a dispute or conflict and make peace.
Main example sentence
“After months of disagreement, the two neighbors decided to bury the hatchet.”
How and when to use it
The idiom fits personal disputes, team tensions, and long-running rivalries when the people involved make a genuine move toward reconciliation. It can describe a mutual decision or an invitation—shall we bury the hatchet? Avoid using it to pressure someone to ignore harm or abandon reasonable boundaries.
More natural examples
- After an honest conversation, the sisters agreed to bury the hatchet.
- The two departments buried the hatchet and worked together on the launch.
- I hope we can bury the hatchet before the family gathering.
- They have not become close friends, but they have buried the hatchet.
Peace is not the same as restored trust
Ending open conflict may be an important first step. Repairing trust can require apology, changed behavior, time, or boundaries beyond what the idiom itself expresses.
Usually hopeful and informal
The phrase frames reconciliation positively and is common in conversation and journalism. More precise language is appropriate in legal, disciplinary, or safety-related contexts.