水(みず)に流(なが)す

みずにながす
expression
to let bygones be bygones; to forgive and forget
idiomemotion
1. to let bygones be bygones; to forgive and forget; to put behind one
To agree to forget a past quarrel, mistake, or grievance and not bring it up again, as if washing it away in running water.
過去(かこ)のことは水(みず)に流(なが)そう。
Let's let bygones be bygones.
昨日(きのう)のけんかは水(みず)に流(なが)してくれないか。
Could you forget about yesterday's argument?
長年(ながねん)口(くち)をきかなかった兄弟(きょうだい)が、父(ちち)の葬儀(そうぎ)をきっかけにすべてを水(みず)に流(なが)した。
The brothers, who had not spoken for years, put everything behind them after their father's funeral.

Conjugates like the godan verb 流(なが)す: 水(みず)に流(なが)そう, 水(みず)に流(なが)して. Often used to propose a reconciliation, with the grievance marked by を or は.

Common patterns

  • 過去(かこ)を水(みず)に流(なが)す: to put the past behind one
  • すべて水(みず)に流(なが)す: to forgive everything
  • 水(みず)に流(なが)しましょう: let's forget it

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 許(ゆる)す (to forgive)
Antonym: 根(ね)に持(も)つ (to hold a grudge)
Compare: 白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)す (to start over from scratch)
general
Added 2026.9.28 9:59 · Revised 2026.9.28 9:59
31000/31110_mizuninagasu