Question

Choose the most appropriate meaning for the given proverb.
Let bygones be bygones.
a. Never forgive past quarrels.
b. Never forget past quarrels.
c. You should never remember the past.
d. Let’s forgive and forget past quarrels.

Answer 1

Hint: The dictionary meaning of the word bygone is- a thing that happened in the past; belonging to an earlier time. For example, Relics of a bygone age.

Complete step by step answer:
This phrase, “let bygones be bygones” is used in reconciliation. For example; When two friends fight and they come back together, their conversation will include “let bygones be bygones”. In an extended form, “let bygones be bygones” means ‘let the unpleasantness between us become a thing of the past and they decide to forget it.’
Let us examine all the given options and find out the correct answer :
Option ‘a’ – Never forgive past quarrels. This cannot be the correct answer as it conveys a completely opposite meaning as of the given phrase.
Option ‘b’ – Never forget past quarrels. This option also cannot be the correct answer as it conveys a completely opposite meaning as of the given idiom.
Option ‘c’ – You should never remember the past. This option excludes “forget past quarrel” and includes only the “forget the past” part, so it is also not the correct option.

Option ‘d’ – Let's forgive and forget past quarrels. This is the correct option as it correctly conveys the exact meaning of the given phrase/idiom.

As we have analysed all the given options, we can easily figure out the correct option. Here, the option which best conveys the meaning of the given idiom is option ‘d’, - Let’s forgive and forget past quarrels.

Note: Idioms may also have a metaphoric meaning at times, you need to differentiate between the ones conveying “literal” or “metaphoric” meaning according to the given options.