forgive
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to err is human (to forgive is divine)
Because humans are fallible, they deserve forgiveness. I know you're mad at your brother because he lied, but to err is human, you know. To forgive is divine.
forgive and forget
To forgive someone by also forgetting 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!
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.
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
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.