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peace
smoke the peace pipe (with someone)
To reach an agreement or understanding (with someone); to resolve a dispute or stop fighting (with someone). Alludes to the calumet used by certain Native American tribes for ceremonial purposes, such as a covenant or peace treaty. In a surprise turn of events, it seems that the environmentalist group is looking to smoke the peace pipe with the largest lobbying body of the oil industry. I don't understand why there has been so much tension between you. You need to both sit down like rational adults, smoke the peace pipe together, and get on with your lives.
peace offering
An item or gesture extended to another person to express remorse or forgiveness. After they had their first big argument, Mark brought Monica a box of her favorite chocolate as a peace offering.
at peace
1. Calm and serene. My daughter was miserable all week, but she's at peace now that her tests are over.
2. Not at war. It is a great relief to know that those two warring factions are at peace.
3. Said of one who has died. Aunt Margaret suffered through a long illness. At least she is at peace now.
at peace with
Calm and comfortable with something, often something that was once displeasing. I was initially disappointed to give up my career as an actor, but I'm at peace with it now.
be at peace with the world
To feel an overall sense of happiness and contentment. I was at peace with the world as I stared down at my infant daughter's sweet face. I hate running, but Matt is at peace with the world when he's jogging through the woods.
at peace
1. relaxed and happy. I am always at peace when I sit in my rocking chair. When the warm breeze is blowing, I am at peace.
2. Euph. dead. It was a long illness, but she is at peace now. At last, Uncle George is at peace.
hold one's peace
to remain silent. Bill was unable to hold his peace any longer. "Don't do it!" he cried. Quiet, John. Hold your peace for a little while longer.
If you want peace, (you must) prepare for war.
Prov. If a country is well armed, its opponents will be less likely to attack it. Wilbur was always arguing with those of his friends who believed in disarmament. "Getting rid of our weapons won't promote peace," he would say. "If you want peace, you must prepare for war."
leave someone in peace
to stop bothering someone; to go away and leave someone alone. (Does not necessarily mean to go away from a person.) Please go—leave me in peace. Can't you see that you're upsetting her? Leave her in peace.
peace of mind
Fig. a tranquility that results from not having worries, guilt, or problems. If peace of mind is more important to you than earning a lot of money, maybe you should consider teaching.
rest in peace
to lie dead peacefully for eternity. (A solemn entreaty used in funeral prayers, eulogies, etc.) We prayed that the deceased would rest in peace. The bodies of the soldiers will rest in peace.
at peace with something/yourself
feeling calm and relaxed about something or yourself He appears to be at peace with the world these days. These are good times for Randy, a man at peace with himself and his career.
keep the peace
(slightly formal) to prevent fighting or difficulties The judge made her sign an agreement promising she would try to keep the peace with her husband for one year. Troops were sent in to keep the peace in the region.
leave somebody/something in peace
to let someone or something stay as they are He's hoping everyone will leave him in peace so he can work on his paintings. She thinks the wreck should be left in peace as a memorial.
make your peace with somebody
to stop arguing with someone Melanie knew she had to go back into the house and make her peace with her parents.
make your peace with something
to accept something He knows that he's really too old to play ball, and he's made his peace with that.
peace of mind
a feeling of calm or not being worried Worries disturbed my peace of mind enough to keep me from falling asleep.
rest in peace
to be free from trouble
The late Mr. Aspin, may he rest in peace, was a good friend to all of us. The girl is dead. Why can't you stop criticizing and let her rest in peace? Usage notes: always used in reference to a dead person
a peace offering
something that you give to someone to show that you are sorry or that you want to be friendly, especially after you have argued with them I took Beth some flowers as a peace offering.
be at peace with the world
to be feeling calm and happy because you are satisfied with your life Sitting on the terrace, looking out over the olive groves, she felt at peace with the world.
See There's no peace for the wicked!There's no peace/rest for the wicked!
(humorous) something that you say which means you must continue an activity although you might like to stop I can't talk - I've got to finish this essay. There's no rest for the wicked.
at peace
In a state of agreement or friendliness, not at strife or war; also, in a state of inner harmony or quiet. For example, Whatever their disagreements, Mexico and Belize have remained at peace, or In his last illness he seemed finally to be at peace with himself. [1300s]
hold one's peace
hold one's tongue
Also,
hold or keep one's peace . Keep quiet, remain silent, as in
If you don't hold your tongue you'll have to go outside, or
Jenny kept her peace about the wedding. The idiom with
tongue uses
hold in the sense of "restrain," while the others use
hold and
keep in the sense of "preserve." Chaucer used the first idiom in
The Tale of Melibus (c. 1387): "Thee is better hold thy tongue still, than for to speak." The variant appears in the traditional wedding service, telling anyone who knows that a marriage should not take place to "speak now or forever hold your peace." [First half of 1300s] Also see
keep quiet.
keep the peace
Maintain public order; prevent strife. For example, President Clinton ordered troops to Bosnia to keep the peace. This expression dates from the 1400s and was originally used more in the first sense, that is, of police keeping public order. It gained extra currency in the second half of the 1900s when military forces were sent to diverse places-Lebanon, Haiti, Bosnia-to stop warring factions.
leave someone in peace
Avoid disturbing or bothering someone, as in
It's best to leave Dean in peace when he's paying the bills. This expression uses
peace in the sense of "undisturbed," a usage dating from the early 1200s. Also see
leave one alone;
let be.
make one's peace with
Reconcile oneself to, bring about friendly relations with, as in
He's repented and made his peace with God. This expression was first recorded about 1315. Also see
make peace.
make peace
Bring about friendly relations or a state of amity; end hostilities. For example,
The United Nations sent a task force to make peace between the two warring factions, or
Mom was good at making peace among the children. [Mid-1100s] Also see
make one's peace with.
peace and quiet
Tranquillity and freedom from disturbance. This phrase's redundancy- quiet here does not mean "lack of sound" but "peacefulness"-gives added emphasis. It often is used in wishes for this condition, as in All I want is a little peace and quiet. [Mid-1800s]
peace out
in. to depart; to leave. Let’s peace out. It’s too hot in here.
make (one's) peace with
To bring oneself to accept; reconcile oneself to.
at peace
1. In a state of tranquility; serene: She is at peace with herself and her friends.
2. Free from strife: Everyone wants to live in a world at peace.
keep the peace
To maintain or observe law and order: officers who were sworn to keep the peace.
peace out
Slang Used to express "goodbye."