lay something to rest

lay (someone or something) to rest

1. To bury someone who has died. Paul will be laid to rest on Saturday, and I plan to go to the funeral service.
2. By extension, to stop or finish discussing, thinking about, or focusing on something. OK, I think we have to agree to disagree. Let's just lay the issue to rest and stop arguing. Why are you still being so jealous? I thought we'd laid this all to rest ages ago.
See also: lay, rest
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lay something to rest

or

put something to rest

If you lay something such as fears or rumours to rest or if you put them to rest, you succeed in proving that they are not true. His speech should lay those fears to rest. I am determined to put to rest these rumours that we are in financial trouble.
See also: lay, rest, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

lay something to rest

soothe and dispel fear, anxiety, grief, and similar unpleasant emotions.
See also: lay, rest, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lay something to ˈrest

stop something by showing that it is not true: The media speculation about their relationship has finally been laid to rest.
See also: lay, rest, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • lay (someone or something) to rest
  • lay somebody to rest
  • lay to rest
  • put (someone or something) to rest
  • inter in
  • inter in (something)
  • lay away
  • bury the hatchet
  • bury the hatchet, to
  • hatchet
References in periodicals archive
And while we're on the subject of the Italians and the French, let me lay something to rest right now.