smoke the peace pipe
Meaning: To make peace after a quarrel.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “After the lawsuit, the two neighbors finally smoked the peace pipe over a barbecue.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From the ceremonial pipe used by many Native American peoples to seal agreements, which French explorers in the 17th century called the calumet. English speakers have used the phrase figuratively since the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Fumer le calumet de la paix — literally: To smoke the peace pipe
More idioms — Daily Life
- seize the day — Make the most of the present moment.
- bow and scrape — To behave in an overly humble or flattering way toward someone powerful.
- jump ship — To abandon a group or cause, often for a rival.
- left on the shelf — To be considered too old to marry; more generally, to be passed over.
- Caesar's wife must be above suspicion — People in prominent positions must avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing.
- the game is not worth the candle — The effort or cost is greater than the reward.
More English idioms
- give free rein — To give someone complete freedom to act.
- take with a grain of salt — To be skeptical about something; not to take it entirely at face value.
- be a third wheel — To be an unwanted extra person with a couple.
- like a bat out of hell — Extremely fast.
- have a seat at the table — To be included in the discussions where decisions are made.
- find Mr. Right — To find the ideal romantic partner.
From our compliments & insults
- Schlauberger — A know-it-all smartass who never misses a chance to show off their cleverness.
- Dickkopf — A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
- 空気が読めない (kūki ga yomenai) — Completely oblivious to the unspoken social mood — the person who kills the atmosphere wi…