“Let bygones be bygones” is the proverb that asks us to forgive and forget old quarrels. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its grace.
What Does “Let Bygones Be Bygones” Mean?
The proverb means to forget past quarrels, offences, or wrongs and to stop holding them against someone — to put old grievances behind you and move on. A “bygone” is simply a thing that has gone by, a matter of the past; to let bygones be bygones is to agree that what is past should stay in the past. It is most often used as an offer of reconciliation, a way of making peace after a disagreement.
Origin of the Proverb
The word “bygone” meant “a thing of the past” as far back as the fifteenth century, and John Heywood recorded the related proverb “let all things past, pass” in 1562. The full familiar phrase appears in a letter by the Scottish churchman Samuel Rutherford in 1636: “Pray that bygones betwixt me and my Lord may be bygones.” Over time “bygones” came to mean specifically past quarrels and debts, and the proverb settled into its role as an offer of peace.
Examples in a Sentence
- “We argued for years, but it’s time to let bygones be bygones.”
- “They shook hands and agreed to let bygones be bygones.”
- “Can’t we let bygones be bygones and start fresh?”
Similar Proverbs
- Forgive and forget — pardon a wrong and put it out of mind.
- What’s done is done — the past cannot be changed, so accept it.
- Let the past drift away with the water — the Japanese version of the same idea.
- Bury the hatchet — make peace and end a quarrel.
For more sayings about forgiveness and peace, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “let bygones be bygones” mean?
It means to forget past quarrels and offences and stop holding them against someone — to put old grievances behind you and move on.
Where does the proverb come from?
“Bygone” meant a thing of the past by the 1400s; the full phrase appears in a 1636 letter by the Scottish churchman Samuel Rutherford.
What is a similar proverb?
“Forgive and forget” and “bury the hatchet” share the same call to make peace and leave old wrongs in the past.
