peace

at peace 

1. relaxed and happy. I am always at peace when I sit in my rocking chair. When the warm breeze is blowing, I am at peace.

2. Euph. dead. It was a long illness, but she is at peace now. At last, Uncle George is at peace.

hold one's peace

to remain silent. Bill was unable to hold his peace any longer. "Don't do it!" he cried. Quiet, John. Hold your peace for a little while longer.

See also: hold

If you want peace, (you must) prepare for war.

Prov. If a country is well armed, its opponents will be less likely to attack it. Wilbur was always arguing with those of his friends who believed in disarmament. "Getting rid of our weapons won't promote peace," he would say. "If you want peace, you must prepare for war."

See also: if, prepare, want, war

leave someone in peace

to stop bothering someone; to go away and leave someone alone. (Does not necessarily mean to go away from a person.) Please go—leave me in peace. Can't you see that you're upsetting her? Leave her in peace.

See also: leave

peace of mind

Fig. a tranquility that results from not having worries, guilt, or problems. If peace of mind is more important to you than earning a lot of money, maybe you should consider teaching.

See also: mind

rest in peace

to lie dead peacefully for eternity. (A solemn entreaty used in funeral prayers, eulogies, etc.) We prayed that the deceased would rest in peace. The bodies of the soldiers will rest in peace.

See also: rest

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a peace offering

something that you give to someone to show that you are sorry or that you want to be friendly, especially after you have argued with them I took Beth some flowers as a peace offering.

be at peace with the world

to be feeling calm and happy because you are satisfied with your life Sitting on the terrace, looking out over the olive groves, she felt at peace with the world.

See There's no peace for the wicked!

See also: world

bring somebody to the [bargaining/peace etc.] table

to persuade a person or a country to join discussions in order to find a solution to a problem We hope to be able to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table to try to end this conflict.

See also: bring, table

There's no peace/rest for the wicked!  (humorous)

something that you say which means you must continue an activity although you might like to stop I can't talk - I've got to finish this essay. There's no rest for the wicked.

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at peace with something/yourself

feeling calm and relaxed about something or yourself He appears to be at peace with the world these days. These are good times for Randy, a man at peace with himself and his career.

keep the peace (slightly formal)

to prevent fighting or difficulties The judge made her sign an agreement promising she would try to keep the peace with her husband for one year. Troops were sent in to keep the peace in the region.

See also: keep

leave somebody/something in peace

to let someone or something stay as they are He's hoping everyone will leave him in peace so he can work on his paintings. She thinks the wreck should be left in peace as a memorial.

See also: leave

make your peace with somebody

to stop arguing with someone Melanie knew she had to go back into the house and make her peace with her parents.

See also: make

make your peace with something

to accept something He knows that he's really too old to play ball, and he's made his peace with that.

See also: make

peace of mind

a feeling of calm or not being worried Worries disturbed my peace of mind enough to keep me from falling asleep.

See also: mind

rest in peace

to be free from trouble The late Mr. Aspin, may he rest in peace, was a good friend to all of us. The girl is dead. Why can't you stop criticizing and let her rest in peace?

Usage notes: always used in reference to a dead person

See also: rest