In the USA, people often talk about the value of tolerance. It means respecting others, even when they have different ideas, beliefs, or lifestyles. Tolerance helps communities live in peace. It allows people to work together, even if they do not always agree. In everyday life, we use idioms to express this idea in colorful ways. These phrases make conversations more engaging and help explain how we feel about patience and understanding.
Idioms about tolerance can be used at school, at work, and at home. They can describe moments when someone stays calm under pressure, accepts differences, or handles a tough situation with patience. Learning these idioms can make conversations more natural. They can also help you show kindness and respect in the way you speak. In this article, we will explore some common idioms about tolerance used in American English.
Idioms About Tolerance
1. Bite your tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from saying something you might regret.
Example Sentence:
• I had to bite my tongue when my friend made a mistake during the game.
• She bit her tongue instead of arguing with her brother.
Other ways to say: Hold back, keep quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of literally biting your tongue to stop talking.
Usage: Used when someone chooses not to say something to avoid trouble.
2. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: To forget past arguments and forgive.
Example Sentence:
• They decided to let bygones be bygones and be friends again.
• We let bygones be bygones after our disagreement.
Other ways to say: Forgive and forget, move on
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bygone” means something in the past, no longer important.
Usage: Used when people agree to stop holding grudges.
3. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: To believe someone’s words or actions are honest, even without proof.
Example Sentence:
• I gave her the benefit of the doubt when she said she was late because of traffic.
• The teacher gave him the benefit of the doubt about his missing homework.
Other ways to say: Trust without proof, believe first
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “benefit” means help, and “doubt” means uncertainty.
Usage: Used when someone chooses to believe the best about another person.
4. Live and let live
Meaning: To accept others’ differences and not interfere with their choices.
Example Sentence:
• I don’t like his music, but live and let live.
• She believes in live and let live when it comes to lifestyle choices.
Other ways to say: Respect differences, mind your own business
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase dates back to the 1600s as advice for peaceful living.
Usage: Used to encourage tolerance of different lifestyles or opinions.
5. Take the high road
Meaning: To act with kindness or honesty, even when treated badly.
Example Sentence:
• She took the high road and didn’t argue back.
• He decided to take the high road instead of spreading rumors.
Other ways to say: Be the bigger person, rise above
Fun Fact/Origin: The “high road” symbolizes a noble and moral path.
Usage: Used when someone responds to negativity with dignity.
6. Agree to disagree
Meaning: To accept that two people have different opinions.
Example Sentence:
• We agreed to disagree about which sports team is the best.
• They agreed to disagree about politics.
Other ways to say: Respect different views, accept differences
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular in the 18th century in debates.
Usage: Used to end an argument without changing minds.
7. Let it slide
Meaning: To ignore a mistake or offense.
Example Sentence:
• I let it slide when he forgot my birthday.
• She let it slide when her friend was late.
Other ways to say: Overlook, let go
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “slide” suggests letting something pass by smoothly.
Usage: Used when forgiving minor mistakes.
8. Water under the bridge
Meaning: Past problems that are no longer important.
Example Sentence:
• That argument is water under the bridge now.
• We had our differences, but it’s water under the bridge.
Other ways to say: Ancient history, let go of the past
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to water that has already flowed downstream and can’t return.
Usage: Used when past conflicts are no longer an issue.
9. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: To respond to an insult or injury without revenge.
Example Sentence:
• He turned the other cheek when teased at school.
• She turned the other cheek instead of fighting back.
Other ways to say: Ignore, forgive
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the Bible, encouraging forgiveness over revenge.
Usage: Used when someone chooses not to retaliate.
10. Go easy on someone
Meaning: To treat someone with kindness or less strictness.
Example Sentence:
• Go easy on him—he’s new to the job.
• The teacher went easy on the class after the long week.
Other ways to say: Be gentle, be lenient
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase “go easy” has been used in American English since the early 1900s.
Usage: Used when asking for or showing leniency.
11. Walk in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To imagine how someone else feels by thinking about their situation.
Example Sentence:
• Try to walk in her shoes before judging her choice.
• I walked in his shoes for a day and saw how hard his job is.
Other ways to say: See from their view, put yourself in their place
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of literally walking in another person’s shoes to understand their journey.
Usage: Used when encouraging empathy.
12. Roll with the punches
Meaning: To adapt and stay calm when facing challenges.
Example Sentence:
• Life changes fast, so I’ve learned to roll with the punches.
• She rolled with the punches when her plans got canceled.
Other ways to say: Adjust, adapt
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing, where fighters move with the punches to lessen the blow.
Usage: Used when handling difficulties without losing patience.
13. Patience is a virtue
Meaning: Being patient is a valuable quality.
Example Sentence:
• She reminded her son that patience is a virtue while waiting in line.
• He knows patience is a virtue when learning a new skill.
Other ways to say: Good things take time, waiting is wise
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying dates back to the 14th century in English moral writing.
Usage: Used to highlight the importance of patience.
14. Not make waves
Meaning: To avoid causing trouble or change.
Example Sentence:
• He didn’t want to make waves at work, so he kept quiet.
• She avoids making waves in family arguments.
Other ways to say: Keep the peace, avoid conflict
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from the idea of still water being calm and peaceful.
Usage: Used when someone avoids disturbing a situation.
15. Keep your cool
Meaning: To stay calm under pressure.
Example Sentence:
• He kept his cool during the debate.
• She kept her cool when the kids were arguing.
Other ways to say: Stay calm, don’t lose your temper
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cool” here refers to a calm, controlled state of mind.
Usage: Used when someone stays calm in a tense situation.
16. Cut some slack
Meaning: To be less strict or demanding.
Example Sentence:
• Cut her some slack—she’s had a rough day.
• The coach cut the players some slack after their hard practice.
Other ways to say: Go easy, be lenient
Fun Fact/Origin: Likely comes from sailing, where loosening a rope gives more flexibility.
Usage: Used when asking for or giving more understanding.
17. Kill them with kindness
Meaning: To respond to rudeness with extra politeness.
Example Sentence:
• She killed them with kindness instead of arguing.
• He kills critics with kindness and keeps smiling.
Other ways to say: Be overly nice, charm them
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase suggests that kindness can be more powerful than anger.
Usage: Used when kindness is used to deal with conflict.
18. Take something in stride
Meaning: To deal with something calmly and without upset.
Example Sentence:
• She took the bad news in stride.
• He takes criticism in stride and keeps improving.
Other ways to say: Accept calmly, handle well
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horse riding, meaning to move smoothly without stumbling.
Usage: Used when someone accepts difficulties without losing composure.
19. Keep an open mind
Meaning: To be willing to listen to different ideas or opinions.
Example Sentence:
• Keep an open mind during the meeting.
• She kept an open mind about trying new foods.
Other ways to say: Be flexible, consider other views
Fun Fact/Origin: The “open” here suggests not closing off new possibilities.
Usage: Used to encourage listening and accepting differences.
20. Bear with me
Meaning: To be patient while waiting for someone or something.
Example Sentence:
• Bear with me while I find the file.
• Please bear with us during the delay.
Other ways to say: Be patient, hang on
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bear” here means to carry or endure something.
Usage: Used when asking for patience.
21. Have a thick skin
Meaning: To not be easily upset by criticism or insults.
Example Sentence:
• You need a thick skin to work in customer service.
• He has a thick skin and ignores mean comments.
Other ways to say: Don’t take it personally, be tough
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of an animal’s thick hide protecting it from harm.
Usage: Used when someone is able to handle criticism well.
22. Easy does it
Meaning: Slow down or be gentle.
Example Sentence:
• Easy does it when moving that heavy box.
• Easy does it—we don’t need to rush.
Other ways to say: Take it slow, go gently
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used in American English since the early 1900s.
Usage: Used to advise caution and patience.
23. Take a chill pill
Meaning: To relax and calm down.
Example Sentence:
• Take a chill pill, everything will be fine.
• He told his friend to take a chill pill before the game.
Other ways to say: Calm down, relax
Fun Fact/Origin: Became popular slang in the USA during the 1980s.
Usage: Used playfully to tell someone to calm down.
24. Go with the flow
Meaning: To accept things as they happen without trying to control everything.
Example Sentence:
• She goes with the flow during family vacations.
• He decided to go with the flow and enjoy the day.
Other ways to say: Adapt, take it as it comes
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to water moving smoothly with a current.
Usage: Used when encouraging flexibility.
25. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To try very hard to help or please someone.
Example Sentence:
• She bent over backwards to make her guests feel welcome.
• He bent over backwards to fix the problem.
Other ways to say: Go out of your way, do extra
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of physically bending backwards, which is difficult.
Usage: Used when someone makes a great effort to help.
Quiz: Idioms About Tolerance
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. If someone tells you to “bite your tongue,” what are they asking you to do?
A) Speak your mind right away
B) Stop yourself from saying something
C) Sing a song quietly
2. What does “let bygones be bygones” mean?
A) Remember old problems
B) Forget past disagreements
C) Argue about the past
3. If you “take the high road,” you are:
A) Responding with kindness and honesty
B) Avoiding travel altogether
C) Choosing the fastest way home
4. What does “let it slide” mean?
A) Forget a small mistake
B) Try something risky
C) Ride down a hill
5. If you “walk in someone’s shoes,” you are:
A) Wearing their clothes
B) Imagining their experiences
C) Running with them
6. What does “cut some slack” mean?
A) Be less strict or demanding
B) Cut a rope in half
C) Take a break from work
7. If a teacher says “keep an open mind,” they want you to:
A) Listen to different ideas
B) Close the door
C) Speak only about your own opinion
8. What does “have a thick skin” mean?
A) Wear many layers of clothing
B) Not get upset easily by criticism
C) Be very strong physically
9. If someone “goes with the flow,” they are:
A) Following along calmly
B) Swimming in a river
C) Changing plans often
10. What does “bend over backwards” mean?
A) Try very hard to help someone
B) Do a gymnastics trick
C) Avoid helping others
Answer Key
- B) Stop yourself from saying something
- B) Forget past disagreements
- A) Responding with kindness and honesty
- A) Forget a small mistake
- B) Imagining their experiences
- A) Be less strict or demanding
- A) Listen to different ideas
- B) Not get upset easily by criticism
- A) Following along calmly
- A) Try very hard to help someone
Wrapping Up
Tolerance is a big part of living peacefully in the USA. Idioms about tolerance help describe moments when we stay calm, forgive, and respect others’ differences. Whether it’s “biting your tongue” or “going with the flow,” these phrases add color to everyday conversations. They remind us that patience and understanding can keep relationships strong. By using them, you not only improve your English but also show respect for people around you.
