The idiom “Bury the hatchet” (bə-ri ðə ˈhætʃɪt) is commonly used to mean to make peace or end a dispute with someone. Understanding such idiomatic expressions can significantly improve your command of English and enhance your IELTS writing and speaking scores. This idiom, like many others, often appears in IELTS because it tests your vocabulary and understanding of less literal language.
Synonyms and Related Idioms
- Make peace (meɪk piːs) (v): To resolve a conflict or dispute.
- Example: “After years of rivalry, the two companies decided to make peace.”
- Reconcile (ˈrekənsail) (v): Restore friendly relations between.
- Example: “It’s never too late to reconcile with an old friend.”
- Forgive and forget (fərˈgɪv ənd fərˈɡɛt) (phrase): To forgive someone who has harmed you and to forget any resentment.
- Example: “John finally decided to forgive and forget after their heated argument.”
- Settle differences (ˈsetl ˈdɪfərənsiz) (phrase): To resolve disagreements.
- Example: “Negotiations were held to settle differences between the two parties.”
- Mend fences (mɛnd fensɪz) (phrase): To improve poor relations.
- Example: “Efforts were made to mend fences after the political fallout.”
Meaning and Analysis of “Bury the Hatchet”
Literal and Figurative Meanings
The idiom “Bury the hatchet” can be dissected as follows:
- Literal Meaning: The phrase originally comes from Native American tribes who would bury weapons to signify the end of a conflict.
- Figurative Meaning: In modern usage, it means to make peace or end a dispute.
bury-the-hatchet|burying the hatchet|Two hands putting a hatchet into the ground, symbolizing the end of a conflict.
Pronunciation
- “Bury the hatchet”: /bə-ri ðə ˈhætʃɪt/
Polularity of the Idiom in IELTS
“Bury the hatchet” is likely to be encountered in the IELTS Reading section through articles discussing conflicts and resolutions, and in Writing tasks that require discussing relationships or historical events. Recognition and understanding of such idioms can enrich your responses, making them more nuanced and expressive.
Usage Examples in IELTS Context
IELTS Writing Task 2 Example
Prompt: “Some people believe that individuals must forgive to move on and live a peaceful life. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Response:
“In my opinion, forgiveness is a crucial aspect of personal development. By choosing to bury the hatchet, individuals can release negative emotions, leading to mental well-being and healthier relationships. For instance, historical events have shown that nations prosper when they bury the hatchet and focus on cooperation rather than conflict.”
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Example
Prompt: Describe a time when you forgave someone.
Response:
“A few years ago, I had a falling out with a close friend over a misunderstanding. Initially, we stopped talking, but after a while, I realized it was causing me more stress. So, I decided to bury the hatchet and reached out to them to make peace. This decision not only restored our friendship but also made me feel much lighter and happier.”
Collocations with “Bury the Hatchet”
- “Decide to bury the hatchet“
- “Mutually agree to bury the hatchet“
- “Finally choose to bury the hatchet“
- “Time to bury the hatchet and move forward”
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Water under the bridge (phrase): Past events that are forgotten and not considered significant anymore.
- Example: “Our disagreements are now just water under the bridge.”
- Learn more about “Water under the bridge”
- Let bygones be bygones (phrase): To forget past offenses or causes of conflict.
- Example: “We should let bygones be bygones for the sake of our friendship.”
- Learn more about “Let bygones be bygones”
Conclusion
Mastering idiomatic expressions like “bury the hatchet” can significantly enrich your vocabulary, providing more diversity and sophistication in both your written and spoken IELTS responses. Try incorporating this idiom into your practice essays and speaking responses to become more comfortable with its usage. By expanding your idiomatic vocabulary, you can impress the IELTS examiners and boost your overall score.
To practice further, try using idioms like “water under the bridge,” “let bygones be bygones,” and others in your writing and speaking tasks. Understanding and employing such phrases will make your language more fluid and natural, which is key to achieving a high score in IELTS.
