put to rest

be put to rest

1. To be buried in a grave after having died. My poor mother was finally put to rest after a long, painful fight with cancer. I want to be put to rest with the seed of a tree, so that instead of a headstone, I might have a living testament to my resting place.

2. To be resolved, ended, or set straight, as of a problem or dispute. Well, I'm glad that point of contention between you two has finally been put to rest. The brothers' rivalry was put to rest after both agreed to share their father's estate equally.

See also: put, rest

put (someone or something) to rest

1. To bury someone who has died. They're putting Paul to rest on Saturday, and I plan to go to the funeral service. Before you put me to rest, please make sure deliver this package to my estranged son.

2. By extension, to stop or finish discussing, thinking about, or focusing on something. OK, I think we have to agree to disagree. Let's just put the issue to rest and stop arguing. Why are you still being so jealous? I thought we'd put this all to rest ages ago.

See also: put, rest

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

put something to rest

 and lay something to rest

Fig. to put an end to a rumor; to finish dealing with something and forget about it. I've heard enough about Ann and her illness. I'd like to put the whole matter to rest. I'll be happy to lay it to rest, but will Jane?

See also: put, rest

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