Forget about past disagreements or injuries and move forward without holding grudges. It means choosing to forgive and not dwell on previous conflicts or mistakes.
This phrase dates back to the 15th century, with 'bygone' meaning something that has passed or gone by. The repetition of 'bygones' emphasizes the finality of letting go. It appeared in various forms before settling into the current version by the 1600s.
The power of this phrase lies in its redundancy - saying 'bygones' twice creates a sense of finality and completeness, as if you're not just letting go of one thing but everything that's passed. The repetition makes it feel like a formal declaration or ritual of forgiveness rather than just a casual suggestion.
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