olive branch

Meaning

An 'olive branch' is a gesture or offer of peace, reconciliation, or friendship, especially after a period of disagreement or conflict. It is typically used with verbs like 'offer', 'extend', or 'accept'. The tone is neutral to slightly formal, and it is common in both personal relationships and professional contexts.

Examples

• After their big argument, Sarah offered an olive branch by inviting him to coffee.

  After their big argument, Sarah offered an olive branch by inviting him to coffee.

• Management extended an olive branch to the union by proposing a small bonus.

  Management extended an olive branch to the union by proposing a small bonus.

• I decided to accept his olive branch and forget about our past disagreements.

  I decided to accept his olive branch and forget about our past disagreements.

• Sending a text message after months of silence was her way of holding out an olive branch.

  Sending a text message after months of silence was her way of holding out an olive branch.

• Neither side was willing to extend an olive branch, so the feud continued for years.

  Neither side was willing to extend an olive branch, so the feud continued for years.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He gave me an olive branch.

  ✓ He offered/extended an olive branch to me.

  While 'give' is grammatically correct, native speakers almost always use 'offer', 'extend', or 'hold out' with 'olive branch'.

• ✗ They made an olive branch to stop the fight.

  ✓ They extended an olive branch to stop the fight.

  'Make an olive branch' is not idiomatic. Use 'extend' or 'offer' instead.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After weeks of ignoring each other, Mark finally decided to extend an ___ to his brother.

  💡 A gesture of peace.

  Show answer

  olive branch

• I'm tired of fighting, so I'm offering an ___ by inviting her to lunch.

  💡 Symbol of peace.

  Show answer

  olive branch