forgive and forget

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

forgive and forget

One is that investors can be too quick to forgive and forget, focusing on the heady gains instead of reckless behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Even if another ex-guerrilla, Gustavo Petro, won the presidency in 2022 by leading a broad left-wing coalition, after decades of bloody armed conflict, many Colombians are not ready to forgive and forget.

From Barron's ● Mar. 5, 2026

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

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2024

Will fans forgive and forget Henderson's Saudi move?

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2024

“I’ve never felt so bad in my life, and I know that still isn’t enough. I know I can’t ask you to just forgive and forget what I did.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray