Phrase guide

take up the hatchet

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To declare war or go to war.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: bury the hatchet

History

Etymology

Referring to Native Americans' use of the tomahawk.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tarttua sotakirveeseeen — to make or declare war
  • French: déterrer la hache de guerre — to make or declare war
  • Hungarian: kiássa a csatabárdot — to make or declare war
  • Polish: wykopywać topór wojenny — to make or declare war
  • Polish: wykopać topór wojenny — to make or declare war