forgive

(one) could be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country could be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You could be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years.

See also: could, forgive

(one) might be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country might be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You might be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years.

See also: forgive, might

(one) will be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country will be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You'll be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years.

See also: forgive, will

(one) would be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country would be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You would be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years.

See also: forgive

forgive (someone) for (something)

To absolve or pardon someone for a misdeed or slight. I don't think she'll ever be able to forgive Jack for cheating on her. Please forgive me, I have the worst memory—what's your name again?

See also: forgive

forgive and forget

To forgive someone and (attempt to) forget that the wrong they committed ever happened. I really do want to move on, but I just can't forgive and forget that you tried to steal my boyfriend!

See also: and, forget, forgive

God forgive me

A phrase commonly said in conjunction with a rude or otherwise unkind or inappropriate statement. God forgive me, but Lois is just so exhausting to deal with.

See also: forgive, god

to err is human (to forgive is divine)

proverb Being fallible and making mistakes is inherent to being a human, and forgiving such mistakes is a transcendent act. I know you're mad at your brother because he lied, but to err is human, you know. To forgive is divine.

See also: err, forgive, human

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Forgive and forget.

Prov. You should not only forgive people for hurting you, you should also forget that they ever hurt you. When my sister lost my favorite book, I was angry at her for weeks, but my mother finally convinced me to forgive and forget. Jane: Are you going to invite Sam to your party? Sue: No way. Last year he laughed at my new skirt. Jane: Come on, Sue, forgive and forget.

See also: and, forget, forgive

forgive someone for something

to pardon someone for something. Please forgive me for being late. He never forgave himself for harming her.

See also: forgive

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

forgive and forget

Both pardon and hold no resentment concerning a past event. For example, After Meg and Mary decided to forgive and forget their differences, they became good friends . This phrase dates from the 1300s and was a proverb by the mid-1500s. For a synonym, see let bygones be bygones.

See also: and, forget, forgive

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

to err is human, to forgive divine

it is human nature to make mistakes yourself while finding it hard to forgive others. proverb

See also: divine, err, forgive

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

forˌgive and forˈget

decide to forget an argument, an insult, etc: Come on, it’s time to forgive and forget. ♢ Many of his victims find it impossible to forgive and forget.

See also: and, forget, forgive

he, she, etc. could/might be forgiven for doing something

used to say that it is easy to understand why somebody does or thinks something, although they are wrong: Looking at the crowds out shopping, you could be forgiven for thinking that everyone has plenty of money to spend.

See also: could, forgive, might, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

forgive and forget

Both pardon and dismiss someone’s mistake, rudeness, or other transgression. This expression has been an English proverb since at least the thirteenth century. William Langland in Piers Ploughman held it up as a form of Christian charity to be practiced by all: “So will Cryst of his curteisye, and men crye hym mercy, bothe forgive and forgeter.” It appears in John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs and was used by Shakespeare in at least four of his plays, including King Lear (4.7): “Pray you now, forget and forgive; I am old and foolish.” It remains current to the present day.

See also: and, forget, forgive

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer