When calm takes shape in words, idioms for peace bring it to life. They speak of still waters and quiet skies, of olive branches and open hands. They paint peace not as silence, but as a presence—gentle, steady, and sure. With each phrase, we step into a softer world, where even language knows how to breathe.
Best Idioms for Peace
1. At peace
Meaning: Feeling completely calm, relaxed, and free of worry or conflict.
In a Sentence:
After meditating, she felt completely at peace.
He finally found himself at peace after years of struggle.
Other Ways to Say: Serene, At ease, In harmony
2. Peace and quiet
Meaning: A state of calm with no noise or disturbance.
In a Sentence:
I need some peace and quiet to finish this book.
They moved to the countryside for more peace and quiet.
Other Ways to Say: Silence, Stillness, Tranquility
3. Peace of mind
Meaning: A mental state free from anxiety or worry.
In a Sentence:
Knowing the kids were safe gave her peace of mind.
I locked the door just for peace of mind.
Other Ways to Say: Reassurance, Inner calm, Mental rest
4. In peace
Meaning: Living or acting without conflict or chaos.
In a Sentence:
He wanted to retire and live in peace.
The animals roamed freely, at peace with nature.
Other Ways to Say: Calmly, Harmoniously, Without disturbance
5. Calm before the storm
Meaning: A moment of peace before an upcoming challenge or conflict.
In a Sentence:
The quiet morning was the calm before the storm.
Everyone was relaxed, not realizing it was the calm before the storm.
Other Ways to Say: Temporary peace, Eerie stillness, Brief quiet
6. Still waters run deep
Meaning: A calm exterior can hide deep thoughts or intense emotions.
In a Sentence:
She’s quiet, but still waters run deep.
Don’t underestimate him—still, the waters run deep.
Other Ways to Say: Quiet but thoughtful, Reserved but intense, Calm but deep
7. Quiet as a mouse
Meaning: Extremely quiet or silent.
In a Sentence:
The library was quiet as a mouse during exams.
She tiptoed in, quiet as a mouse, not to wake the baby.
Other Ways to Say: Soundless, Hushed, Silent
8. Rest in peace
Meaning: A respectful expression for someone who has died, wishing them eternal peace.
In a Sentence:
The gravestone read, “Rest in peace, beloved.”
He was a kind man—may he rest in peace.
Other Ways to Say: Eternal rest, Sleep peacefully, Peaceful departure
9. As calm as a millpond
Meaning: Perfectly still and peaceful, especially in nature or emotion.
In a Sentence:
The lake was as calm as a millpond at dawn.
She stayed as calm as a millpond through the crisis.
Other Ways to Say: Still and peaceful, Undisturbed, Serene
10. A haven of peace
Meaning: A place or state offering complete calm and safety.
In a Sentence:
Her garden was a haven of peace after work.
This cottage is a haven of peace in the noisy city.
Other Ways to Say: Safe haven, Sanctuary, Peaceful retreat
11. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To end a conflict and reconcile with someone.
In a Sentence:
They buried the hatchet after years of arguing.
Let’s bury the hatchet and move on from the past.
Other Ways to Say: Make amends, End the feud, Reconcile
12. Make peace
Meaning: To resolve a dispute and restore harmony.
In a Sentence:
He tried to make peace with his old rival.
It’s time to make peace and stop the blame.
Other Ways to Say: Settle differences, Mend relations, Come to terms
13. Olive branch
Meaning: A gesture of peace or reconciliation.
In a Sentence:
She offered an olive branch to end the feud.
Extending an olive branch was the right thing to do.
Other Ways to Say: Peace offering, Reconciliation move, Gesture of goodwill
14. Clear the air
Meaning: To resolve misunderstandings and restore mutual understanding.
In a Sentence:
They met to clear the air after the argument.
We had a talk to clear the air between us.
Other Ways to Say: Straighten things out, Talk it through, Settle the tension
15. Patch things up
Meaning: To fix a damaged relationship or situation.
In a Sentence:
They patched things up after their disagreement.
Let’s patch things up and start fresh.
Other Ways to Say: Mend ties, Rebuild trust, Fix the rift
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Memory That Stick With You
16. Mend fences
Meaning: To restore friendly relations after conflict.
In a Sentence:
He worked to mend fences with his neighbors.
It’s time we mend fences and reconnect.
Other Ways to Say: Heal a relationship, Make amends, Restore peace
17. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: To forget past offenses and forgive.
In a Sentence:
Let’s let bygones be bygones and move forward.
You can’t grow if you don’t let bygones be bygones.
Other Ways to Say: Move on, Forgive and forget, Leave the past behind
18. Build bridges
Meaning: To create understanding and cooperation between differing parties.
In a Sentence:
She built bridges between the conflicting teams.
We need to build bridges, not walls.
Other Ways to Say: Connect, Reunite, Create harmony
19. Shake hands on it
Meaning: To reach a peaceful agreement or resolution.
In a Sentence:
They shook hands on it to end the dispute.
After long negotiations, they finally shook hands on it.
Other Ways to Say: Make a deal, Come to terms, Agree peacefully
20. Wave a white flag
Meaning: To surrender or signal a desire for peace.
In a Sentence:
He waved a white flag to avoid further drama.
Sometimes, you need to wave a white flag and admit defeat.
Other Ways to Say: Give in, Call for peace, Surrender peacefully
21. Hold your peace / Hold your tongue
Meaning: To stay silent to avoid conflict or escalation.
In a Sentence:
She held her peace during the heated debate.
He wanted to argue, but chose to hold his tongue.
Other Ways to Say: Stay quiet, Remain silent, Bite your tongue
22. Inner peace
Meaning: A deep sense of calm and emotional balance.
In a Sentence:
Yoga helped her find inner peace after stress.
He’s been searching for inner peace through meditation.
Other Ways to Say: Spiritual calm, Personal serenity, Mental stillness
23. At ease
Meaning: Free from worry or tension; relaxed.
In a Sentence:
He felt at ease after resolving the issue.
The gentle music put her completely at ease.
Other Ways to Say: Relaxed, Comfortable, Calm
24. A weight off your mind
Meaning: A feeling of relief after resolving something stressful.
In a Sentence:
Finishing the project was a weight off my mind.
After hearing the good news, it was a weight off her mind.
Other Ways to Say: Relieved, Unburdened, Set free mentally
25. Cool as a cucumber
Meaning: Extremely calm and composed, especially under pressure.
In a Sentence:
She was cool as a cucumber during the crisis.
Even in chaos, he remains cool as a cucumber.
Other Ways to Say: Unshaken, Calm-headed, Unflappable
26. Keep your cool
Meaning: To remain calm in stressful or difficult situations.
In a Sentence:
He kept his cool despite the tight deadline.
Try to keep your cool no matter what they say.
Other Ways to Say: Stay calm, Maintain composure, Don’t lose your head
27. Smooth sailing
Meaning: Easy progress without problems or stress.
In a Sentence:
After planning, the event was smooth sailing.
The project was smooth sailing once we got started.
Other Ways to Say: Trouble-free, Easy-going, Flowing smoothly
28. On an even keel
Meaning: Mentally or emotionally balanced and steady.
In a Sentence:
Therapy helped her stay on an even keel.
After a tough year, he’s finally on even keel.
Other Ways to Say: Balanced, Emotionally steady, Stable
29. Breathe easily
Meaning: To feel relieved and relaxed after stress or danger.
In a Sentence:
She could breathe easy after passing the exam.
Once the storm passed, we all breathed easy.
Other Ways to Say: Relax, Let go of stress, Feel safe again
30. A calm head
Meaning: The ability to think clearly and rationally under pressure.
In a Sentence:
He kept a calm head during the negotiation.
When others panicked, she had a calm head.
Other Ways to Say: Clear-minded, Level-headed, Composed thinker
31. Hold peace
Meaning: To maintain peace or prevent conflict, especially in formal or official contexts.
In a Sentence:
The leaders agreed to hold peace during the talks.
The communities worked together to hold peace across the border.
Other Ways to Say: Maintain harmony, Keep stability, Preserve calm
32. Disturb the peace
Meaning: To disrupt quiet or create conflict in a peaceful setting.
In a Sentence:
Loud music disturbed the peace of the neighborhood.
Protesters were arrested for disturbing the peace.
Other Ways to Say: Cause a scene, Break the silence, Stir trouble
33. Keep the peace
Meaning: To maintain order and avoid conflict, especially within groups or communities.
In a Sentence:
The police worked to keep the peace during the protest.
Parents often struggle to keep the peace between siblings.
Other Ways to Say: Maintain order, Avoid conflict, Preserve calm
34. Live and let live
Meaning: To allow others to live as they choose without interference.
In a Sentence:
He believes in living and living with neighbors.
The best approach is to live and live in this diverse world.
Other Ways to Say: Be tolerant, Respect differences, and Coexist peacefully
35. Give peace a chance
Meaning: To attempt a peaceful resolution instead of conflict.
In a Sentence:
Let’s give peace a chance and talk it out.
Before reacting with anger, give peace a chance.
Other Ways to Say: Choose harmony, Embrace diplomacy, Try nonviolence
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Having a Good Time and Enjoying Life
36. A peaceful coexistence
Meaning: Living together without conflict despite differences.
In a Sentence:
The communities aimed for peaceful coexistence.
Different faiths shared the city in peaceful coexistence.
Other Ways to Say: Mutual respect, Shared peace, Harmonious living
37. Smoke the peace pipe
Meaning: To make peace or reconcile, often after a conflict (originating from Native American tradition).
In a Sentence:
They smoked the peace pipe after negotiations.
The rivals finally smoked the peace pipe and shook hands.
Other Ways to Say: Reconcile, Settle differences, End hostilities
38. Lay down arms
Meaning: To stop fighting and agree to peace.
In a Sentence:
The factions laid down arms to end the conflict.
It’s time to lay down arms and rebuild the nation.
Other Ways to Say: Cease fire, Stop conflict, Surrender peacefully
39. A dove of peace
Meaning: A symbol or action that represents peace and reconciliation.
In a Sentence:
Her speech was a dove of peace for the group.
The treaty served as a dove of peace between nations.
Other Ways to Say: Peace symbol, Gesture of goodwill, Message of Harmony
40. Ceasefire
Meaning: A temporary or permanent stop to conflict or violence.
In a Sentence:
They agreed to cease fire and start talks.
A cease-fire was declared to allow aid delivery.
Other Ways to Say: Truce, Temporary peace, Conflict pause
41. Hold your ground
Meaning: To remain firm in your position calmly, without causing conflict.
In a Sentence:
She held her ground calmly during the debate.
He held his ground without raising his voice.
Other Ways to Say: Stand firm, Stay composed, Remain steady
42. Stay the course
Meaning: To continue steadily with a plan or goal, maintaining peace or direction.
In a Sentence:
The team stayed the course to keep harmony.
She stayed the course despite external pressure.
Other Ways to Say: Keep going, Maintain direction, Stay steady
43. Keep a lid on it
Meaning: To control emotions or actions to prevent tension or escalation.
In a Sentence:
He kept a lid on his anger to maintain peace.
Try to keep a lid on things until the meeting ends.
Other Ways to Say: Stay restrained, Manage calmly, Contain reaction
44. Avoid rocking the boat
Meaning: To prevent unnecessary change or trouble in a peaceful situation.
In a Sentence:
She avoided rocking the boat during the meeting.
We decided not to rock the boat and just agreed.
Other Ways to Say: Keep things stable, Don’t stir trouble, Maintain calm
45. Steer clear of trouble
Meaning: To avoid conflict or situations that might disturb peace.
In a Sentence:
He steered clear of trouble to keep the team calm.
You’d better steer clear of any heated arguments today.
Other Ways to Say: Avoid conflict, Stay away from drama, Keep distance
46. Pour oil on troubled waters
Meaning: To calm down a tense or hostile situation.
In a Sentence:
She poured oil on troubled waters during the argument.
His calm words poured oil on troubled waters after the outburst.
Other Ways to Say: Ease tension, Soothe conflict, Calm the storm
47. Hold the fort
Meaning: To maintain order or stability in someone’s absence.
In a Sentence:
He held the fort to maintain peace in the office.
Can you hold the fort while I handle the client?
Other Ways to Say: Keep things running, Maintain control, Stay in charge
48. Stand united
Meaning: To remain united and strong in the face of challenges or threats.
In a Sentence:
The community stood united to promote peace.
They stood united against misinformation and division.
Other Ways to Say: Remain together, Stay in solidarity, Be as one
49. Ease tensions
Meaning: To reduce conflict or stress in a group or situation.
In a Sentence:
The mediator eased tensions between the groups.
A shared laugh helped ease the tensions in the room.
Other Ways to Say: Calm nerves, Smooth over, Relieve strain
50. Settle the dust
Meaning: To restore calm after conflict or confusion.
In a Sentence:
After the debate, they settled the dust with a handshake.
Let’s wait for the dust to settle before deciding.
Other Ways to Say: Restore order, Calm down, Wait for clarity
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Peace
- After years of conflict, the two leaders finally decided to __________________ and start fresh.
- She found __________________ through meditation and journaling.
- Please, I need some __________________ to finish this report without distractions.
- He stayed __________________ during the entire emergency, impressing everyone with his calm.
- The mediator was sent to __________________ between the rival communities.
- After the argument, she extended an __________________ to show she wanted to reconcile.
- The teacher reminded the class to __________________ during group activities.
- His kind words felt like __________________ in a room full of tension.
- After the misunderstanding, we chose to __________________ and focus on the future.
- Sitting by the ocean, he finally felt __________________ with himself and the world.
Conclusion
Peace doesn’t always shout—it rests, it hums, it lingers. These idioms for peace let us hear the hush in a storm, the pause in a crowd, the calm within. They remind us that peace can be held, shared, or simply felt. Like a quiet room, like a gentle wave, like a breath let go—peace finds its way through words.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
