Idioms are special phrases where the words together have a different meaning than the words do on their own. People use them to paint a picture with words and make conversation more colorful. In this article, you will learn fifty fun idioms that are all about peace and calm.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean harmony and rest. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Peace
1. Bury the hatchet
Definition: To stop fighting and make peace with someone after a disagreement.
Used in a Sentence: The two brothers decided to bury the hatchet and play together again. / After talking about their problem, the friends were ready to bury the hatchet.
Similar Expressions: Make up / Clear the air
2. At peace
Definition: Feeling calm, quiet, and free from worry or stress.
Used in a Sentence: She felt completely at peace while reading a book in the quiet garden. / Hearing the soft rain outside helped him feel at peace before sleep.
Similar Expressions: Serene / Untroubled
3. Smooth sailing
Definition: A situation where everything is calm and easy with no problems.
Used in a Sentence: Once they finished the hard project, the rest of the school year was smooth sailing. / Learning to ride a bike was tough at first, but now it is smooth sailing.
Similar Expressions: Easy going / Plain sailing
4. Olive branch
Definition: Something done or given to show you want to make peace.
Used in a Sentence: He offered an olive branch by sharing his lunch with the new student. / Sending a friendly note was her way of extending an olive branch.
Similar Expressions: Peace offering / Friendly gesture
5. Clear the air
Definition: To remove doubts or bad feelings by talking openly.
Used in a Sentence: They had a quick chat to clear the air after the misunderstanding in class. / Clearing the air helped the teammates trust each other again.
Similar Expressions: Talk it out / Clear the misunderstanding
6. Keep the peace
Definition: To stop people from fighting and maintain quiet and order.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher tried to keep the peace when the children argued over the crayons. / Older siblings often try to keep the peace during long car rides.
Similar Expressions: Maintain harmony / Keep things calm
7. Peace of mind
Definition: A feeling of safety and calm without worry in your head.
Used in a Sentence: Locking the front door gave her peace of mind while she was away. / Studying hard for the test gave him peace of mind the next morning.
Similar Expressions: Mental comfort / Reassurance
8. Drop the subject
Definition: To stop talking about an argument or upsetting topic.
Used in a Sentence: Mom told them to drop the subject so they could enjoy dinner happily. / When the debate got too loud, he decided to drop the subject.
Similar Expressions: Let it go / Stop arguing
9. Resting easy
Definition: Being free from worry because everything is fine.
Used in a Sentence: He was resting easy knowing his homework was finished and packed in his bag. / The parents were resting easy once the lost puppy returned home.
Similar Expressions: Feeling secure / At ease
10. Living in harmony
Definition: Getting along well with others without fighting.
Used in a Sentence: The different pets in the house were living in harmony together. / Neighbors living in harmony make the whole street a nice place to be.
Similar Expressions: Getting along / Coexisting peacefully
11. Lay down your arms
Definition: To stop fighting or giving up weapons in a conflict.
Used in a Sentence: The opposing teams decided to lay down their arms and share a snack. / In the story, the knights were told to lay down their arms.
Similar Expressions: Stop fighting / Surrender in peace
12. Calm waters
Definition: A peaceful time after a period of stress or trouble.
Used in a Sentence: After the busy exam week, they looked forward to some calm waters. / The family finally reached calm waters after fixing their car.
Similar Expressions: Peaceful times / Quiet period
13. Walk on air
Definition: To feel extremely happy and light after a good event.
Used in a Sentence: She was walking on air after finding out she won the art contest. / Getting the puppy made him feel like he was walking on air.
Similar Expressions: Overjoyed / Floating on clouds
14. Sweet harmony
Definition: A wonderful and peaceful agreement between people or sounds.
Used in a Sentence: The choir sang together in sweet harmony during the winter show. / The team worked in sweet harmony to finish the project early.
Similar Expressions: Perfect accord / Beautiful balance
15. Clear skies
Definition: A sign that trouble has passed and good times are ahead.
Used in a Sentence: After a long argument, there were clear skies between the friends. / With the test behind them, clear skies were ahead for the weekend.
Similar Expressions: Better days / Bright future
16. In your element
Definition: Being in a place or situation where you feel calm and happy.
Used in a Sentence: Painting at the easel, she felt totally in her element. / He was in his element while building things with wooden blocks.
Similar Expressions: Right at home / Comfortable
17. Cool as a cucumber
Definition: Very calm and relaxed, even in a tricky spot.
Used in a Sentence: Even when the clock was ticking, she stayed cool as a cucumber. / He remained cool as a cucumber during the spelling bee.
Similar Expressions: Calm and collected / Unflappable
18. Sound sleep
Definition: A deep and peaceful sleep that leaves you rested.
Used in a Sentence: After a long hike, she enjoyed a sound sleep all night long. / A sound sleep helped him feel ready for the big soccer game.
Similar Expressions: Deep rest / Peaceful slumber
19. Quiet as a mouse
Definition: Making very little or no noise at all.
Used in a Sentence: The baby was sleeping, so everyone was quiet as a mouse. / They tiptoed into the library quiet as a mouse.
Similar Expressions: Silent / Whisper quiet
20. Soft touch
Definition: A gentle and kind approach to someone who is upset.
Used in a Sentence: Her soft touch helped the frightened kitten feel safe. / A soft touch from his mother calmed his worries about school.
Similar Expressions: Gentle care / Tender handling
21. Breath of fresh air
Definition: Something new and peaceful that makes things feel better.
Used in a Sentence: The new quiet study room was a breath of fresh air for the students. / Her kind words during the argument were a breath of fresh air.
Similar Expressions: Nice change / Welcome relief
22. Harmony in the house
Definition: A peaceful home where everyone gets along nicely.
Used in a Sentence: Cleaning up together brought harmony in the house for the evening. / Good communication kept harmony in the house all week.
Similar Expressions: Peaceful home / Domestic bliss
23. Easy does it
Definition: Moving slowly and carefully to keep things calm.
Used in a Sentence: Easy does it as you carry that tray of juice cups. / He told his puppy to easy does it when jumping on the couch.
Similar Expressions: Take it slow / Gently now
24. Find your center
Definition: To calm your mind and find your inner peace.
Used in a Sentence: She took three deep breaths to find her center before her piano solo. / Yoga helps many people find their center after a busy day.
Similar Expressions: Center yourself / Regain calm
25. Put your mind at ease
Definition: To stop someone from worrying by telling them good news.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher checked his work to put his mind at ease. / Hearing the plan put her mind at ease about the field trip.
Similar Expressions: Calm fears / Reassure someone
26. Like a millpond
Definition: Extremely still and calm, like a quiet lake.
Used in a Sentence: The surface of the morning pond was like a millpond. / After the storm passed, the water was like a millpond.
Similar Expressions: Glassy calm / Perfectly still
27. Safe and sound
Definition: Completely safe from harm and feeling secure.
Used in a Sentence: The lost hikers were found safe and sound by the rescue team. / She tucked her teddy bear into bed safe and sound.
Similar Expressions: Secure and well / Out of danger
28. Take a load off
Definition: To sit down and relax after working hard.
Used in a Sentence: Dad told him to take a load off after carrying the groceries inside. / She sat on the porch swing to take a load off.
Similar Expressions: Rest your feet / Unwind
29. Out of the woods
Definition: Out of danger and into a safe, peaceful spot.
Used in a Sentence: Once the fever broke, the little boy was out of the woods. / The plant survived the frost, so it was out of the woods.
Similar Expressions: Past the worst / Safe now
30. Ease of mind
Definition: A relaxed state without stress or worry.
Used in a Sentence: Checking his backpack twice gave him ease of mind for school. / Knowing the rules brought ease of mind to the new players.
Similar Expressions: Mental peace / Freedom from worry
310. Peace offering
Definition: A gift or action given to end a quarrel.
Used in a Sentence: She baked cookies as a peace offering for her neighbor. / He gave back the toy as a peace offering.
Similar Expressions: Token of peace / Olive branch
32. In harmony with
Definition: Working together nicely and peacefully with something else.
Used in a Sentence: The cabin design was in harmony with the forest around it. / Their ideas were in harmony with the class goals.
Similar Expressions: In tune with / Matching well
33. Settle your differences
Definition: To resolve a dispute so everyone can be peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: The kids sat down to settle their differences over the game rules. / Partners must settle their differences to move forward.
Similar Expressions: Resolve a dispute / Make peace
34. Clear the slate
Definition: To forget past mistakes and start fresh with peace.
Used in a Sentence: They agreed to clear the slate and be best friends again. / Turning the page meant they could clear the slate for a new project.
Similar Expressions: Fresh start / Clean slate
35. Make nice
Definition: To act friendly and stop being mean or angry.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher asked them to shake hands and make nice. / After fighting over the blocks, they had to make nice.
Similar Expressions: Be friendly / Patch things up
36. Lay to rest
Definition: To end a worry or argument so it stays peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: They managed to lay to rest the rumors about the club. / The meeting helped lay to rest any doubts about the plan.
Similar Expressions: Put an end to / Resolve completely
37. Peaceful silence
Definition: A quiet time with no loud noises or fighting.
Used in a Sentence: A peaceful silence filled the library as everyone read. / They enjoyed the peaceful silence of the early morning.
Similar Expressions: Quiet calm / Serene quiet
38. Smooth over
Definition: To make a disagreement less serious and more peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: He tried to smooth over the awkward moment with a funny joke. / She used kind words to smooth over the argument.
Similar Expressions: Patch up / Soften the issue
39. Free and easy
Definition: Relaxed, casual, and without any stress.
Used in a Sentence: Summer vacation felt so free and easy compared to school days. / Their friendly chat kept the mood free and easy.
Similar Expressions: Carefree / Laid back
40. Keep a cool head
Definition: To stay calm and peaceful during a difficult time.
Used in a Sentence: It is important to keep a cool head when a fire drill happens. / He managed to keep a cool head when he lost his keys.
Similar Expressions: Stay calm / Remain level headed
41. At ease
Definition: Relaxed and free from tension or worry.
Used in a Sentence: The sergeant told the scouts they could stand at ease. / Soft music helped the class feel at ease during painting time.
Similar Expressions: Relaxed / Comfortable
42. Drop your guard
Definition: To stop being defensive and feel safe and peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: He finally dropped his guard and joined in the fun games. / Once she trusted her new friends, she could drop her guard.
Similar Expressions: Relax defenses / Open up
43. Smooth out
Definition: To remove wrinkles or problems to make things calm.
Used in a Sentence: They needed to smooth out the rules before the game started. / A quick meeting helped smooth out the scheduling errors.
Similar Expressions: Iron out / Fix problems
44. Soft spoken
Definition: Speaking in a quiet, gentle, and peaceful voice.
Used in a Sentence: The librarian was soft spoken so everyone could read in quiet. / Her soft spoken words made the upset toddler feel safe.
Similar Expressions: Gentle voiced / Quiet spoken
45. Untbled waters
Definition: A calm situation without any trouble or drama.
Used in a Sentence: They sailed into untroubled waters after finishing their chores. / The club enjoyed untroubled waters all semester long.
Similar Expressions: Calm seas / Peaceful phase
46. Make peace
Definition: To end a fight and agree to get along.
Used in a Sentence: The two puppies stopped growling and began to make peace. / It is always better to make peace than to hold a grudge.
Similar Expressions: Reconcile / End hostilities
47. Quietude
Definition: A state of being quiet, calm, and peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: She loved the quietude of the park early in the morning. / The cabin offered a lovely quietude away from the noisy city.
Similar Expressions: Stillness / Calmness
48. Settle down
Definition: To become quiet, calm, and peaceful after being active.
Used in a Sentence: The puppies took a long time to settle down for a nap. / The teacher asked the students to settle down before reading.
Similar Expressions: Calm down / Quiet down
49. Sweet rest
Definition: A peaceful break that makes you feel refreshed.
Used in a Sentence: After a long hike, they enjoyed a sweet rest under a tree. / A nap provided sweet rest after a busy morning.
Similar Expressions: Peaceful pause / Relaxing break
50. All is well
Definition: Everything is peaceful, safe, and going correctly.
Used in a Sentence: She checked on the sleeping baby and whispered that all is well. / With the chores done, all is well in the house.
Similar Expressions: Everything is fine / All clear
Exercise to Practice
- The two friends decided to bury the hatchet and share their toys again.
- After spilling his milk, he was cool as a cucumber and started crying loudly.
- She felt completely at peace while reading her favorite book in the sun.
- The children were quiet as a mouse while shouting songs in the hallway.
- They tried to clear the air by talking nicely about their small disagreement.
- Dad told them to drop the subject so they could eat dinner happily.
- Walking on air means you are sleeping deeply on your bed at night.
- The lost puppy was finally found safe and sound by the front porch.
- He stayed cool as a cucumber even when the timer went off during the test.
- A smooth sailing trip is one where you get lost in a dark forest alone.
- Taking a load off means sitting down to rest after working hard outside.
- An olive branch is a scary animal you find in the deep jungle.
- She was walking on air after winning the first place ribbon in art class.
- Peace of mind is a feeling of worry and stress in your head.
- Keeping a cool head helps you stay calm during a tricky situation.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning idioms about peace helps you understand how people talk about calmness and friendship in everyday life. Using these phrases makes your writing and speaking much more interesting and fun for others to hear. Try using one or two of these peaceful expressions the next time you talk with a friend or write a story. See how much fun it is to paint a picture with your words!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for peace?
Some of the most common idioms for peace include bury the hatchet, smooth sailing, and peace of mind. People use these expressions to describe when arguments end or when everything feels calm and easy. They help make conversations more colorful and relatable.
Why do we use idioms in English?
We use idioms because they help us express big ideas and feelings using fun mental pictures. Instead of just saying you are calm, saying you are cool as a cucumber makes the thought more vivid. They add creativity to how we speak and write every day.
How can I practice using idioms about peace?
You can practice by picking one new idiom each day and using it in a sentence while talking to your family or friends. Writing short stories or journaling is also a great way to remember what they mean. Reading lists like this one helps you discover new phrases to try out.
Are idioms difficult to learn for kids?
Idioms can be tricky at first because the words do not mean their literal definitions. However, they are very easy to learn when you practice them with fun examples and everyday stories. Once you learn the meaning behind the phrase, it becomes easy to use.
Where did peace idioms come from?
Many peace idioms come from everyday actions, nature, or history, such as offering an olive branch or burying a weapon after a fight. Over time, people started using these actions as word pictures to describe getting along. They stick around because they help us share feelings very clearly.
