3 syllables: Let By, gones Be By, gones. Stress on gones Be By.
let-BEYE-guhnz-bee-beye-guhnz
/lɛt ˈbaɪɡənz biː baɪɡənz/
Let Bygones Be Bygones is pronounced let-BEYE-guhnz-bee-beye-guhnz (/lɛt ˈbaɪɡənz biː baɪɡənz/). It has three syllables (Let By-gones Be By-gones), with the stress on "gones Be By". As a noun, a proverb and expression meaning to forgive past offenses and move forward, often used to dismiss lingering grievances. Although phrased as a command, it functions as a reminder that past events should not impede current relations or decisions. The form invites a calm, forgiving attitude rather than dwelling on prior errors, and is commonly used in both formal and casual discourse.
nounA proverb and expression meaning to forgive past offenses and move forward, often used to dismiss lingering grievances. Although phrased as a command, it functions as a reminder that past events should not impede current relations or decisions. The form invites a calm, forgiving attitude rather than dwelling on prior errors, and is commonly used in both formal and casual discourse.
"We agree to disagree and let bygones be bygones, focusing on the future of our collaboration."
"The mediator urged them to let bygones be bygones to reach a settlement."
"Despite the argument, they decided to let bygones be bygones and start anew."
Say it as: /lɛt ˈbɪɡoʊnz bi ˈɡoʊnz/. Stress falls on the first beat of bygones in the first half and on be in the second half. Ensure the -gon- syllables have a clear /ɡoʊnz/ with a rounded vowel; keep the consonant cluster mellow with a slight pause between words. For audio, imagine 2-3 slow repetitions to internalize the rhythm, then speed up gradually. You can hear it clearly in enunciated reading or a video tutorial that demonstrates the phrase in context.
Two frequent errors: misplacing stress on bygones as /ˈbɪɡənz/ with a weak o; and truncating the final s in bygones, saying /ˈbɪɡoʊnz/ with a clipped s. Correction: exaggerate the second syllable to get /ˈbɪɡoʊnz/; keep the /z/ or /nz/ endings crisp, not silent. Also ensure the first word LET is clearly /lɛt/ and not /liːt/ or /lɛtɪ/. Practice by saying the full phrase slowly, then chunking into lets- bygones - be - bygones while maintaining fluid transitions.
In US English, expect rhotic /r/ absence in by, but not in bygones; overall /ˈbɪɡoʊnz/. UK/GA may use /ˈbɪɡəʊnz/ with non-rhotic by; be pronounced /biː/ or /bi/ depending on speed. Australian English tends toward a slightly broader /ɡəʊ/ in bygones, but still clear /ˈbɪɡəʊnz/. The main differences: vowel quality in bygones (oʊ vs oʊ), rhotic presence, and subtle reductions in unstressed syllables. Keep the same syllable count, but adjust vowel quality per accent.
Three key challenges: the sequence of two similar words bygones twice in close proximity makes heavy prosody; the /ˈbɪɡoʊnz/ includes a diphthong that should not be shortened; and the phrase’s rhythm relies on a natural breath control between parts. The final -es in bygones is pronounced as /nz/ rather than a simple /s/. Practicing with slower tempo and explicit mouth positioning helps prevent slurring and maintains even syllable timing.
Yes, the phrase hinges on the emphatic placement of bygones for actual meaning; misplacing stress can imply a different emphasis like 'Let bygones be bygones' vs. 'Let bygones be bygones'—here, the rhythm leans on bygones in both halves, so the listener perceives a balanced forgiveness rather than a command to neglect past actions. Maintain a steady, almost equal stress on both occurrences of bygones.
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Let bygones be bygones is a proverb whose form likely derives from the older phrase bygone, referring to things that have passed out of existence or time. The exact origin is murky, but the construction echoes English legal and social idioms where bygone (past) is used as a noun to denote past events. Bygone, meaning past, appeared in Middle English, with roots in Old English bygānan meaning to go away or depart. The expression stabilizes in the 18th to 19th centuries in print as a moral exhortation to leave the memory of past wrongs behind. It likely gained traction through maxims and parliamentary or stage usage, where reconciliation and restoration of harmony were valued social ideals. The idiom crystallized into a two-entity imperative: “let [the] bygones [be] bygones,” a succinct encapsulation of turning away from past issues and embracing present goodwill. Over time, it shifted from a strictly moral exhortation to a cliché used in conflict resolution and casual forgiveness, though still recognized as a recommendation for forgiveness and forward focus. In modern usage, it often appears in negotiations, disputes, or personal conversations as a conciliatory directive. First known printed instances are often cited in 19th century compilations of proverbs and maxims, with continued presence in contemporary dialogue and media. The phrase remains a stable idiom in English, illustrating how a simple syntactic construction can convey broad social sentiments about reconciliation.
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Words that rhyme with "Let Bygones Be Bygones"
-nes sounds
-ons sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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