olive branch

Definitions

1. A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace.
2. Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace.
   figuratively
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: A branch of an olive tree.

Equivalents

5 more languages

العربيةغُصْن الزَيْتُون

Ελληνικάκλαδί ελιάς

Polskigałązka oliwna

Русскийоли́вковая ве́твь

Svenskaolivkvist

Examples

“I appeal to you to enable our people to establish⟳ national independent sovereignty over its own⟳ land⟳. / Today I have⟳ come⟳ bearing an olive branch and a freedom-fighter's gun. Do not let⟳ the olive branch fall⟳ from my hand. I repeat⟳: do not let⟳ the olive branch fall⟳ from my hand. / War flares up in Palestine, and yet it is in Palestine that peace will be born.”

“extend⟳ an olive branch”

“His [George W. Bush's] remarks came after Britain offered a diplomatic olive branch to Iran earlier in the day to try⟳ to secure an early release⟳ of the prisoners.”

“On immigration in particular, the change⟳ of tone was jarring, even from within the speech itself. Amidst warning of the threats posed by illegal immigration to jobs and safety, the president [Donald Trump] seemingly extended an olive branch to his opponents.”

“Beijing has offered some olive branches. On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said China would welcome⟳ a visit⟳ from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in response to Ms. Yellen’s statement earlier this week that she still hoped to go.”

“Mr. Ramaphosa entered the meeting seemingly optimistic about maintaining a cordial conversation with Mr. Trump. He offered olive branches to Mr. Trump, including a book about golf. He complimented Mr. Trump’s décor in the Oval Office.”

CEFR level