Sometimes people use special phrases to talk about peace. These are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “bury the hatchet,” they don’t really mean to dig a hole. They mean to stop fighting and be calm again. Idioms like this help us describe peace in a fun and easy way.
In this article, you’ll learn some common idioms for peace. You’ll see what they mean and how they are used in real life. These phrases can help you talk about quiet times, solving problems, or staying calm. Learning idioms is a good way to make your speaking and writing more interesting and clear.
Idioms for Peace
1. Beat swords into plowshares
Meaning: To change from fighting to making peace.
Sample Sentences: After years of war, the countries decided to beat swords into plowshares. / The leaders promised to beat swords into plowshares and work together.
Other Way to Say: Stop fighting / Make peace
2. Call a truce
Meaning: To agree to stop fighting for a while.
Sample Sentences: The two teams called a truce to rest before the next game. / They called a truce to stop arguing and talk calmly.
Other Way to Say: Stop fighting temporarily / Agree to pause
3. Keep the peace
Meaning: To make sure no fighting or trouble happens.
Sample Sentences: The police work hard to keep the peace in the city. / We need to keep the peace in the classroom during tests.
Other Way to Say: Maintain calm / Avoid fighting
4. Make peace
Meaning: To stop fighting and be friendly again.
Sample Sentences: After their fight, the friends made peace and apologized. / The countries made peace after signing a treaty.
Other Way to Say: End conflict / Be friends again
5. Peace and quiet
Meaning: A calm and quiet time without noise or trouble.
Sample Sentences: I like to read in peace and quiet after school. / The park is a place of peace and quiet.
Other Way to Say: Calm and silence / Quiet time
6. Put down your weapons
Meaning: To stop fighting or using weapons.
Sample Sentences: The soldiers were told to put down their weapons and surrender. / Let’s put down our weapons and talk things out.
Other Way to Say: Stop fighting / Lay down arms
7. Hold the peace
Meaning: To keep calm and avoid trouble or fighting.
Sample Sentences: Everyone was asked to hold the peace during the meeting. / The mayor promised to hold the peace in the town.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Avoid conflict
8. Peace talks
Meaning: Discussions to stop fighting and make peace.
Sample Sentences: The leaders held peace talks to end the war. / Peace talks helped the neighbors solve their problems.
Other Way to Say: Peace negotiations / Talks to stop fighting
9. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To forgive and stop fighting.
Sample Sentences: After their argument, they decided to bury the hatchet. / It’s time to bury the hatchet and be friends again.
Other Way to Say: Make up / Forgive and forget
10. Live in peace
Meaning: To live without fighting or trouble.
Sample Sentences: We want to live in peace with our neighbors. / The community learned to live in peace after the dispute.
Other Way to Say: Live calmly / Get along
11. Peace of mind
Meaning: Feeling calm and not worried.
Sample Sentences: I have peace of mind when my homework is done. / Talking to my teacher gave me peace of mind.
Other Way to Say: Calm feeling / Relaxed state
12. Calm before the storm
Meaning: A quiet time before something busy or bad happens.
Sample Sentences: The room was silent—a calm before the storm of the test. / The town enjoyed a calm before the storm of the festival.
Other Way to Say: Quiet moment / Before the trouble
13. Peace out
Meaning: To say goodbye in a calm way.
Sample Sentences: He waved and said, “Peace out!” before leaving. / After the meeting, she said peace out to her friends.
Other Way to Say: Say goodbye / Leave calmly
14. Walk in peace
Meaning: To go about your life without fighting or trouble.
Sample Sentences: After making peace, they walked in peace down the street. / I hope we can all walk in peace every day.
Other Way to Say: Live calmly / Move without trouble
15. Peace offering
Meaning: Something given to show you want to stop fighting.
Sample Sentences: She gave him a peace offering to fix their friendship. / The gift was a peace offering after the argument.
Other Way to Say: Gift to make up / Apology gift
16. Cool as a cucumber
Meaning: Very calm and relaxed, even in a tough situation.
Sample Sentences: She stayed cool as a cucumber during the test. / Even when everyone was upset, he was cool as a cucumber.
Other Way to Say: Very calm / Relaxed
17. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Don’t cause trouble by talking about old problems.
Sample Sentences: They decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the fight again. / Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.
Other Way to Say: Avoid old troubles / Don’t start fights again
18. On peaceful terms
Meaning: When people agree to be calm and friendly.
Sample Sentences: After the fight, they were on peaceful terms again. / The neighbors live on peaceful terms now.
Other Way to Say: Friendly again / Calm relationship
19. Settle differences
Meaning: To solve problems and stop fighting.
Sample Sentences: They settled their differences by talking. / The team settled differences and worked together.
Other Way to Say: Solve problems / Make peace
20. Cool down
Meaning: To become calm after being angry or upset.
Sample Sentences: After the argument, they needed time to cool down. / I took a break to cool down when I was mad.
Other Way to Say: Calm down / Relax
21. Lay down arms
Meaning: To stop fighting and give up weapons.
Sample Sentences: The soldiers laid down arms after the agreement. / It’s better to lay down arms and talk peacefully.
Other Way to Say: Stop fighting / Put down weapons
22. Peace be with you
Meaning: A kind way to wish someone calm and happiness.
Sample Sentences: The teacher said, “Peace be with you,” before the holidays. / They greeted each other with “Peace be with you.”
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Be peaceful
23. Tranquil as a lake
Meaning: Very calm and peaceful like still water.
Sample Sentences: The garden was tranquil as a lake in the morning. / Her mind was tranquil as a lake during meditation.
Other Way to Say: Very calm / Quiet and peaceful
24. Keep cool
Meaning: Stay calm and don’t get angry.
Sample Sentences: Keep cool during the game, even if you lose. / He kept cool when the teacher asked a hard question.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Don’t get upset
25. Peaceful coexistence
Meaning: Living together without fighting.
Sample Sentences: The animals showed peaceful coexistence in the forest. / The two groups learned peaceful coexistence.
Other Way to Say: Live together peacefully / No fighting
26. Clear the air
Meaning: To solve problems and stop tension.
Sample Sentences: They talked to clear the air after the misunderstanding. / It’s good to clear the air with friends sometimes.
Other Way to Say: Solve problems / Make things better
27. Smooth sailing
Meaning: A situation with no problems or troubles.
Sample Sentences: After fixing the mistake, it was smooth sailing. / The project went smooth sailing after they agreed.
Other Way to Say: No problems / Easy time
28. Keep your cool
Meaning: To stay calm and not lose control.
Sample Sentences: She kept her cool even when things went wrong. / Keep your cool during a test.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Don’t get upset
29. Rest easy
Meaning: To feel calm and not worried.
Sample Sentences: You can rest easy knowing the test is over. / After talking to the teacher, I could rest easy.
Other Way to Say: Feel calm / No worries
30. On the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand each other well.
Sample Sentences: The team is on the same page about the plan. / We need to be on the same page to avoid fighting.
Other Way to Say: Agree / Understand each other
31. Make amends
Meaning: To fix a problem or say sorry.
Sample Sentences: He made amends by apologizing for being late. / They made amends after their argument.
Other Way to Say: Apologize / Fix the problem
32. Give peace a chance
Meaning: To try to stop fighting and be calm.
Sample Sentences: They decided to give peace a chance instead of arguing. / Sometimes, giving peace a chance is the best choice.
Other Way to Say: Try peace / Stop fighting
33. Put it behind you
Meaning: To forget the fight and move on.
Sample Sentences: After the argument, they put it behind them and stayed friends. / Let’s put it behind us and enjoy the day.
Other Way to Say: Forget the problem / Move on
34. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To try very hard to help or make peace.
Sample Sentences: She bent over backwards to fix the friendship. / They bent over backwards to stop the fight.
Other Way to Say: Try hard / Work hard to help
35. Play nice
Meaning: To behave well and be friendly.
Sample Sentences: The kids were told to play nice during recess. / Let’s all play nice and get along.
Other Way to Say: Be friendly / Act kindly
36. Let it go
Meaning: To stop worrying or being angry about something.
Sample Sentences: You should let it go and not be mad anymore. / Sometimes, it’s best to let it go.
Other Way to Say: Forget it / Stop being angry
37. Peacekeeper
Meaning: Someone who helps stop fighting and keep calm.
Sample Sentences: She is the peacekeeper in our group. / The teacher acts as a peacekeeper during disputes.
Other Way to Say: Mediator / Calm helper
38. Keep the peace
Meaning: To stop trouble or fighting from happening.
Sample Sentences: The guards keep the peace at the event. / Parents try to keep the peace during family visits.
Other Way to Say: Maintain calm / Avoid fights
39. Strike a balance
Meaning: To find a way to agree or share fairly.
Sample Sentences: They struck a balance between work and play. / We need to strike a balance to keep peace.
Other Way to Say: Find middle ground / Agree fairly
40. Patch things up
Meaning: To fix a friendship or problem.
Sample Sentences: They patched things up after the fight. / The friends patched things up and smiled again.
Other Way to Say: Make up / Fix friendship
41. Keep it cool
Meaning: Stay calm and don’t get angry.
Sample Sentences: Keep it cool even if you lose the game. / I try to keep it cool when people argue.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Don’t get upset
42. Work it out
Meaning: To solve a problem by talking.
Sample Sentences: They worked it out after their disagreement. / We can work it out if we talk.
Other Way to Say: Solve problems / Fix things
43. Live and let live
Meaning: To accept people and not cause trouble.
Sample Sentences: They decided to live and let live and stop arguing. / Living and letting live keeps peace in the neighborhood.
Other Way to Say: Accept others / Don’t interfere
44. Keep calm and carry on
Meaning: Stay calm and continue without worry.
Sample Sentences: Even when things get tough, keep calm and carry on. / The teacher said, “Keep calm and carry on” during the storm.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Keep going
45. Peaceful protest
Meaning: A calm way to show your opinion without fighting.
Sample Sentences: They held a peaceful protest for their rights. / Peaceful protests help people be heard without trouble.
Other Way to Say: Calm demonstration / Nonviolent protest
46. Calm the waters
Meaning: To make a tense or angry situation peaceful.
Sample Sentences: The teacher calmed the waters after the argument. / We need someone to calm the waters and stop the fight.
Other Way to Say: Reduce tension / Make peace
47. Drop the hostility
Meaning: To stop being angry or mean.
Sample Sentences: They dropped the hostility and shook hands. / Drop the hostility and be friends again.
Other Way to Say: Stop anger / Forgive
48. Make a peace pact
Meaning: An agreement to stop fighting and be friendly.
Sample Sentences: The countries made a peace pact after years of war. / We made a peace pact to never fight again.
Other Way to Say: Peace agreement / Friendship promise
49. Calm and collected
Meaning: Very calm and in control of your feelings.
Sample Sentences: She was calm and collected during the difficult test. / Being calm and collected helps in stressful times.
Other Way to Say: Very calm / In control
50. Peaceful resolution
Meaning: Solving a problem without fighting.
Sample Sentences: They found a peaceful resolution to their disagreement. / Peaceful resolutions help keep friends together.
Other Way to Say: Solve calmly / End conflict peacefully
51. Peace of conscience
Meaning: Feeling calm because you did the right thing.
Sample Sentences: I have peace of conscience after telling the truth. / Peace of conscience helps me sleep well at night.
Other Way to Say: Clear conscience / Feel good inside
52. Leave the past behind
Meaning: To stop thinking about old problems and move on.
Sample Sentences: They decided to leave the past behind and start fresh. / Leaving the past behind helped them live happily.
Other Way to Say: Move on / Forget old troubles
53. Give someone space
Meaning: To let someone be alone and calm down.
Sample Sentences: I gave her space after our fight. / Giving space can help keep the peace.
Other Way to Say: Let alone / Time to calm down
54. Settle down
Meaning: To become calm or quiet.
Sample Sentences: The kids settled down after the game. / He settled down when the noise stopped.
Other Way to Say: Calm down / Quiet down
55. Spread peace
Meaning: To share calm and kindness with others.
Sample Sentences: She spreads peace wherever she goes. / We can all spread peace by being kind.
Other Way to Say: Share calm / Promote kindness
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Peace
1. What does “bury the hatchet” mean?
A. Plant a tree
B. Stop fighting and make peace
C. Hide your homework
2. If someone is “quiet as a mouse,” what are they like?
A. Very loud
B. Very small
C. Very quiet
3. What does it mean to “go with the flow”?
A. Get upset easily
B. Stay calm and adjust to what’s happening
C. Swim in the river
4. What does “keep your cool” mean?
A. Wear a jacket
B. Stay calm in a tough moment
C. Turn on the fan
5. If you “let bygones be bygones,” what are you doing?
A. Talking about the past
B. Forgetting old fights
C. Studying history
6. What does “make peace” mean?
A. Say something rude
B. Start a new club
C. Fix things with someone after a fight
7. If someone “lets off steam,” what are they doing?
A. Cooling down by doing something active
B. Letting a balloon go
C. Drinking hot tea
8. “Peace and quiet” means:
A. Watching a loud movie
B. No noise or trouble
C. Playing video games with friends
9. If you “patch things up” with a friend, what have you done?
A. Sewed a hole in your shirt
B. Fixed the friendship
C. Ignored them
10. “Don’t rock the boat” means:
A. Don’t make trouble when things are calm
B. Don’t go swimming
C. Don’t get in a boat
11. What does it mean to “keep the peace”?
A. Stay out of the sun
B. Avoid making others upset
C. Keep a secret
12. If you feel “at peace,” how do you feel?
A. Happy and calm
B. Angry and loud
C. Excited and jumping
Answer Key
- B. Stop fighting and make peace
- C. Very quiet
- B. Stay calm and adjust to what’s happening
- B. Stay calm in a tough moment
- B. Forgetting old fights
- C. Fix things with someone after a fight
- A. Cooling down by doing something active
- B. No noise or trouble
- B. Fixed the friendship
- A. Don’t make trouble when things are calm
- B. Avoid making others upset
- A. Happy and calm
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
Conclusion
Peace is an important part of our lives. Idioms help us talk about peace in different ways. They can show how we feel, how we fix problems, or how we stay calm.
By learning these phrases, you can speak and write more clearly. You’ll also better understand what others mean when they use them. These idioms are part of everyday language and help us connect with people in simple ways.
