Peace isn’t just a state of being; it’s also a powerful source of inspiration for language. Idioms related to peace have made their way into our daily conversations, allowing us to convey complex emotions and ideas in a simple manner.
Let’s journey through these peaceful expressions!
Peace is like a tranquil lake, its surface undisturbed by ripples of conflict, reflecting the serenity of the world. For more comparisons to describe peace, you can check this link: Similes for peace. And for a variety of metaphors related to peace, you can explore this link: Metaphors for peace.
What is an idiom for peace?
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words suggest. Instead, they carry a deeper meaning, often rooted in cultural or historical contexts.
When it comes to peace, idioms are used to describe various situations, emotions, and actions associated with tranquility and harmony.
Let’s delve into the world of peace idioms and unveil their true meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Peace of mind | Feeling calm and content | After finishing all her assignments, Sarah finally had peace of mind and could relax. |
| Make peace | Reconcile after a conflict | The neighbors decided to make peace and ended their long-standing feud. |
| Hold your peace | Remain silent | During the meeting, everyone was asked to hold their peace until the discussion was over. |
| Peace out | Casual goodbye | Before leaving the party, Tim said, “Peace out, everyone!” |
| Rest in peace | Express condolences for the deceased | The tombstone read, “May you rest in peace, beloved friend.” |
| Peace offering | Gesture to reconcile or make amends | She brought a peace offering of homemade cookies to mend their friendship. |
| At peace | In a state of calm and contentment | After a long battle with illness, she is finally at peace. |
| Keep the peace | Maintain a peaceful environment | The teacher reminded the students to keep the peace during the school assembly. |
| Bury the hatchet | End a conflict and move forward with peace | The two nations decided to bury the hatchet and work together for mutual benefit. |
| Peaceful coexistence | Different groups living together harmoniously | The diverse community promoted peaceful coexistence among its residents. |
| Peace and quiet | Calm and silence, free from disturbance | The cabin in the woods offered peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. |
| Lay down arms | Cease fighting | The warring factions agreed to lay down their arms and negotiate for a peaceful resolution. |
| Mend fences | Repair damaged relationships or resolve conflicts | After a heated argument, they decided to mend fences and rebuild their friendship. |
| Olive branch | Symbol of peace and reconciliation | The leader extended an olive branch to the rival group, hoping to establish peaceful dialogue. |
| White flag | Symbol of surrender or truce | Seeing the white flag, both sides agreed to cease hostilities and negotiate. |
| Ceasefire | Temporary suspension of conflict | The ceasefire allowed humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn region. |
| Peace talks | Negotiations for a peaceful resolution | The peace talks between the nations took place in a neutral location. |
| Smooth sailing | Easy situation without obstacles | After the initial challenges, the project proceeded with smooth sailing. |
| Calm before the storm | Peace before a turbulent event | The tranquility in the office was the calm before the storm of deadlines. |
| Break the ice | Initiate conversation for comfort | The host played a game to break the ice at the party, helping guests mingle. |
| Live and let live | Accept others’ differences without interference | In their diverse neighborhood, the motto was “live and let live.” |
| Let bygones be bygones | Forget past grievances and move forward | After their disagreement, they decided to let bygones be bygones and rebuild their friendship. |
| Turn the other cheek | Respond with forgiveness and patience | Instead of retaliation, she chose to turn the other cheek and maintain her composure. |
| Kiss and make up | Reconcile through a friendly gesture | The siblings decided to kiss and make up after their argument over the TV remote. |
| Waving the white flag | Symbolic act of surrender or admission of defeat | Realizing their inability to continue the debate, he waved the white flag and conceded. |
| Cooling-off period | Pause to allow emotions to settle | After the heated argument, they agreed to a cooling-off period before discussing the issue further. |
| Bridge over troubled waters | Provide support during difficult times | The community acted as a bridge over troubled waters for the family facing financial hardship. |
Idioms for Peace
1. Peace of mind
Meaning: A feeling of calm and contentment, usually when worries or anxieties are put to rest.
In a Sentence: After finishing all her assignments, Sarah finally had peace of mind and could relax.
2. Make peace
Meaning: To reconcile with someone after a conflict or disagreement.
In a Sentence: The neighbors decided to make peace and ended their long-standing feud.
3. Hold your peace
Meaning: To remain silent, especially when it’s important to do so.
In a Sentence: During the meeting, everyone was asked to hold their peace until the discussion was over.
4. Peace out
Meaning: A casual way to say goodbye, often used by younger generations.
In a Sentence: Before leaving the party, Tim said, “Peace out, everyone!”
5. Rest in peace
Meaning: A phrase used to express condolences for someone who has passed away.
In a Sentence: The tombstone read, “May you rest in peace, beloved friend.”
6. Peace offering
Meaning: A gesture or action meant to reconcile with someone or make amends.
In a Sentence: She brought a peace offering of homemade cookies to mend their friendship.
7. At peace
Meaning: In a state of calm and contentment, often used to describe someone who has passed away.
In a Sentence: After a long battle with illness, she is finally at peace.
8. Keep the peace
Meaning: To maintain a peaceful and harmonious environment without conflict.
In a Sentence: The teacher reminded the students to keep the peace during the school assembly.
9. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To put an end to a conflict or disagreement and move forward with peace.
In a Sentence: The two nations decided to bury the hatchet and work together for mutual benefit.
10. Peaceful coexistence
Meaning: The state of different groups or individuals living together harmoniously.
In a Sentence: The diverse community promoted peaceful coexistence among its residents.
11. Peace and quiet
Meaning: A state of calm and silence, usually free from noise or disturbance.
In a Sentence: The cabin in the woods offered peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
12. Lay down arms
Meaning: To cease fighting or put down weapons in favor of peace.
In a Sentence: The warring factions agreed to lay down their arms and negotiate for a peaceful resolution.
13. Mend fences
Meaning: To repair damaged relationships or resolve conflicts.
In a Sentence: After a heated argument, they decided to mend fences and rebuild their friendship.
14. Olive branch
Meaning: A symbol of peace and reconciliation, often offered as a gesture to resolve conflicts.
In a Sentence: The leader extended an olive branch to the rival group, hoping to establish peaceful dialogue.
15. White flag
Meaning: A symbol of surrender or a request for a truce during a conflict.
In a Sentence: Seeing the white flag, both sides agreed to cease hostilities and negotiate.
16. Ceasefire
Meaning: A temporary suspension of fighting or conflict.
In a Sentence: The ceasefire allowed humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn region.
17. Peace talks
Meaning: Negotiations between conflicting parties to reach a peaceful resolution.
In a Sentence: The peace talks between the nations took place in a neutral location.
18. Smooth sailing
Meaning: To experience a situation that is easy and free from obstacles.
In a Sentence: After the initial challenges, the project proceeded with smooth sailing.
19. Calm before the storm
Meaning: A period of peace or quiet that precedes a turbulent or chaotic event.
In a Sentence: The tranquility in the office was the calm before the storm of deadlines.
20. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate a conversation or social interaction to make people feel more comfortable.
In a Sentence: The host played a game to break the ice at the party, helping guests mingle.
21. Live and let live
Meaning: To accept others’ differences and choices without interference.
In a Sentence: In their diverse neighborhood, the motto was “live and let live.”
22. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: To forget about past grievances and move forward without holding onto grudges.
In a Sentence: After their disagreement, they decided to let bygones be bygones and rebuild their friendship.
23. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: To respond to an offense or provocation with forgiveness and patience.
In a Sentence: Instead of retaliation, she chose to turn the other cheek and maintain her composure.
24. Kiss and make up
Meaning: To reconcile with someone after a disagreement through a friendly gesture.
In a Sentence: The siblings decided to kiss and make up after their argument over the TV remote.
25. Waving the white flag
Meaning: A symbolic act of surrender or admission of defeat.
In a Sentence: Realizing their inability to continue the debate, he waved the white flag and conceded.
26. Cooling-off period
Meaning: A break or pause in a heated situation to allow emotions to settle and reason to prevail.
In a Sentence: After the heated argument, they agreed to a cooling-off period before discussing the issue further.
27. Bridge over troubled waters
Meaning: A metaphorical reference to providing support and assistance during difficult times.
In a Sentence: The community acted as a bridge over troubled waters for the family facing financial hardship.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “Rest in peace” mean?
- a) A peaceful night’s sleep
- b) A state of calm and contentment
- c) Expressing condolences for someone who has passed away
Quiz 2:
Question: When is the idiom “Hold your peace” often used?
- a) To say goodbye casually
- b) To remain silent, especially during an important discussion
- c) To make amends with someone
Quiz 3:
Question: What does “Bury the hatchet” mean?
- a) To put an end to a conflict and move forward with peace
- b) To engage in a heated argument
- c) To plan a surprise party
Quiz 4:
Question: Which idiom represents living together harmoniously among different groups?
- a) Peaceful coexistence
- b) Olive branch
- c) Peace offering
Quiz 5:
Question: What is the symbolic meaning of a “White flag”?
- a) Surrender or a request for a truce during a conflict
- b) A sign of victory
- c) A signal for an upcoming storm
Quiz 6:
Question: When is the idiom “Break the ice” typically used?
- a) To describe a calm and quiet moment
- b) To initiate a conversation or social interaction to make people feel comfortable
- c) To express condolences
Quiz 7:
Question: Which idiom suggests forgetting about past grievances and moving forward?
- a) Rest in peace
- b) Keep the peace
- c) Let bygones be bygones
Quiz 8:
Question: What does the idiom “Calm before the storm” mean?
- a) A period of peace and quiet
- b) A state of perpetual chaos
- c) A peaceful moment before a turbulent event
Quiz 9:
Question: Which idiom encourages accepting others’ differences without interference?
- a) Make peace
- b) Live and let live
- c) Hold your peace
Quiz 10:
Question: What is the symbolic significance of “Bridge over troubled waters”?
- a) Crossing a bridge during a storm
- b) Providing support and assistance during difficult times
- c) Building a physical bridge in a peaceful location
Answers:
- c) Expressing condolences for someone who has passed away
- b) To remain silent, especially during an important discussion
- a) To put an end to a conflict and move forward with peace
- a) Peaceful coexistence
- a) Surrender or a request for a truce during a conflict
- b) To initiate a conversation or social interaction to make people feel comfortable
- c) Let bygones be bygones
- c) A peaceful moment before a turbulent event
- b) Live and let live
- b) Providing support and assistance during difficult times
Conclusion
These idioms for peace offer us a peaceful path to express our thoughts and emotions. They serve as a reminder of the importance of harmony and reconciliation in our lives.
