Bury it deep 🪦➡️⬇️

Meaning

To conceal or forget something, especially a painful memory or secret, completely and permanently.

Origin

The literal act of burying something deep in the earth has been a way to hide it from view and the elements for millennia, a practice as old as humanity. In ancient rituals and practical burials alike, deeper meant more secure, more hidden, and less likely to be disturbed. This primal instinct to put things out of sight and out of mind, out of reach and out of memory, formed the bedrock of the phrase. It evokes a universal image: the finality of the grave, the darkness of the soil, and the desperate desire to ensure something stays hidden forever.

🔒 secrets 💀🥀 death 😥😔 sadness 😨😱 fear

Bury it deep represented with emoji🪦➡️⬇️

This playful sequence, starting with a tombstone 🪦 and concluding with a downward arrow ⬇️, functions as a visual rebus for the phrase "bury it deep." It masterfully captures the essence of concealment and forgetting, inviting us to consider the act of burying something not just physically, but metaphorically, perhaps a difficult memory or a long-held secret, sending it down into the depths of oblivion.

Examples

  • After the argument, she decided to bury it deep and never speak of it again.
  • He tried to bury it deep, but the memory resurfaced every time he visited his hometown.
  • The shy squirrel decided to bury its acorn deep, hoping no one would find its treasured snack.
  • She whispered a silly secret to the wind, asking it to bury it deep where only giggles could find it.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'bury it deep' a proverb or an idiom?

'Bury it deep' functions primarily as an idiom, not a proverb. Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn't deducible from the individual words, unlike proverbs which typically offer a piece of wisdom or advice.

What's the opposite of 'bury it deep' specifically in terms of emotion?

The opposite of 'bury it deep' emotionally would be to 'confront it' or 'process it'. These actions involve acknowledging and dealing with feelings or memories rather than suppressing them.

Can 'bury it deep' apply to positive memories?

While typically used for negative experiences, 'bury it deep' can theoretically apply to positive memories if someone wishes to conceal them, perhaps due to guilt, shame, or a desire for privacy; however, this is not its common usage.

Does 'bury it deep' imply intentionality?

Yes, 'bury it deep' usually implies a conscious and deliberate effort to suppress or forget something. The act of burying suggests an active decision to hide and prevent its resurfacing.

Similar to "bury it deep"

Sweep it under the rug
Both phrases aim to hide something unwanted, but 'sweep it under the rug' has a more casual, almost domestic feel, suggesting a quick, perhaps clumsy, attempt at concealment rather than the finality of burying
Let sleeping dogs lie
Both phrases advise against disturbing something that could cause trouble, but 'let sleeping dogs lie' focuses on avoiding future problems by not provoking something that is currently dormant, while 'bury it deep' is about permanently erasing a past hurt
Draw a veil over it
This phrase shares the goal of concealment, but 'draw a veil over it' implies a more public or formal act of obscuring, like covering up a scandal, whereas 'bury it deep' is usually a more internal, personal act of forgetting

Opposite of "bury it deep"

Face the music
This phrase argues for confronting reality and accepting consequences, directly opposing the idea of burying or forgetting painful truths, suggesting that true resolution comes from acknowledgement, not erasure
Bring it into the light
This advocates for revelation and transparency, the exact opposite of burying something deep. It champions the idea that hidden things fester and that exposure is necessary for healing or justice
Speak your truth
This active call to vocalize one's experiences stands in stark contrast to the passive, internal act of burying. It suggests that sharing, not suppressing, is the path to liberation, making the desire to bury seem like cowardice

Related to "bury it deep"

Stiff upper lip
This phrase shares the stoic resolve to endure hardship without outward display, a quality that might lead someone to bury painful memories rather than express them
Out of sight, out of mind
This proverb captures the psychological principle that drives the desire to bury something deep – if you can't see it or think about it, it ceases to be a problem
A closed chapter
This metaphor suggests a narrative arc where a difficult part of life is concluded and left behind, resonating with the permanent aspect of 'bury it deep'
L'esprit de l'escalier
This French phrase for the wit that comes too late describes a specific kind of regret or missed opportunity, the kind of painful memory one might be tempted to bury deep