forgive and forget

Idioms and Phrases

Both pardon and hold no resentment concerning a past event. For example, After Meg and Mary decided to forgive and forget their differences, they became good friends . This phrase dates from the 1300s and was a proverb by the mid-1500s. For a synonym, see let bygones be bygones .

Example Sentences

Instead, he dug in his heels, hoping voters would forgive and forget.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s all about forgive and forget and one game at a time,” Oettinger explained.

From Seattle Times

Will fans forgive and forget Henderson's Saudi move?

From BBC

Americans on the winning side were not in the mood to fully forgive and forget, and the idea that some secessionists could be elected to Congress after betraying the union was unsettling, if not abhorrent.

From Los Angeles Times

On the off chance that some viewers were inclined to forgive and forget, all they had to do was catch a glimpse of Kevin Costner at a table in the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom looking like he was caught in a hostage video.

From Salon