forgive and forget

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

forgive and forget (third-person singular simple present forgives and forgets, present participle forgiving and forgetting, simple past forgave and forgot, past participle forgiven and forgotten)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To absolve somebody completely for a past wrongdoing; to pardon with neither resentment nor a view to retribution.
   • 1875, Wilkie Collins, The law and the lady, page 33:

     "We will go away in the yacht. Does it matter where we live, so long as we live for each other? Forgive and forget! Oh, Valeria, Valeria, forgive and forget!"

   • 2002, Jack Womack, Going, Going, Gone, page 73:

     'Not long before he died, the old man disowned him. Then a year and a half ago mom forgave and forgot.'

• forgive but don't forget