Let bygones be bygones means forgetting old grievances and moving on: After their conversation, they agreed to let bygones be bygones. Bygones is an old word for things that are in the past. It's close to forgive and forget, or simply let's forget it.
When would you say let bygones be bygones?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
let bygones be bygones; agree / decide to let bygones be bygones
- After their conversation, they agreed to let bygones be bygones.
- I am ready to let bygones be bygones and work together again.
- She asked whether they could let bygones be bygones after the argument.
What changed
First versionWe decided to let bygones to be bygones.
RevisionWe decided to let bygones be bygones.
Many verbs take to before the next verb, as in want to be or decide to be, so to be looks natural. But after let the verb never takes to: let them go, let bygones be bygones. Drop the to.
No hard feelings means no offence taken, for example after a refusal. Let bygones be bygones is about an old conflict that people decide to close. Move on simply means getting on with life, even without making peace.
Your turn
Complete the expression about leaving an old disagreement behind: Let's let bygones ___ bygones.
Show the answer
be — After let, the verb comes without to: let bygones be. To be is one word too many.
Write to someone you fell out with a long time ago and suggest making peace. Use let bygones be bygones.
I would like to let bygones be bygones and meet for coffee next week.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.