to hold out the olive branch
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To make over- tures for peace; in allusion to the olive being an ancient symbol of peace. In some of Numa's medals the king is represented holding an olive twig, indicative of a peaceful reign.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “to hold out the olive branch” mean?
To make over- tures for peace; in allusion to the olive being an ancient symbol of peace. In some of Numa's medals the king is represented holding an olive twig, indicative of a peaceful reign.
Is “to hold out the olive branch” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.