Correct Answer:
B. To make peace
The idiom 'To bury the hatchet' means To make peace. This phrase originates from the historical practice of certain Native American tribes, where burying a war hatchet or tomahawk symbolized the end of hostilities and the beginning of a peaceful reconciliation. When people 'bury the hatchet,' they are agreeing to end a quarrel, disagreement, or conflict and resolve to live in harmony. It signifies a conscious decision to let go of past grievances and move forward with renewed goodwill and cooperation, often after a period of dispute or animosity. It's about laying down the weapons of conflict and embracing reconciliation.
- To start a war is the exact opposite of 'to bury the hatchet.' Burying the hatchet means ending conflict, not initiating it. If one were to 'dig up the hatchet,' that might imply starting conflict, but burying it is definitively about peace.
- To hide something is not the meaning of this idiom. While burying something literally means hiding it underground, the figurative meaning of 'to bury the hatchet' specifically refers to resolving a conflict, not concealing an object or secret.
- To dig refers to the physical act of excavating soil. While the idiom uses the word 'bury,' the phrase's meaning is entirely figurative and has no connection to the literal action of digging in the ground. The focus is on the symbolic act of putting an end to a dispute.