'Let bygones be bygones' means forgiving past disagreements and moving on from them.
The practical usage of the idiom was demonstrated through an example of reaching out to a witness and confessing past wrongdoings.
Deep dives
Understanding the meaning of 'let bygones be bygones'
The idiom 'let bygones be bygones' means to forgive someone for a past disagreement or action and to move on from it. It is a way of leaving the past behind and not dwelling on past grievances. The term 'bygones' refers to a past period or events.
Example of 'let bygones be bygones' in action
In an interview, the co-defendant, Morton Sobel, who was involved in industrial espionage, mentioned how he reached out to a witness who had testified against him, expressing the desire to let bygones be bygones due to his old age. This led to him confessing his involvement in espionage, including the activities of Julius Rosenberg. This example demonstrates the practical usage of the idiom to move on from the past and forgive.