branch

Related to branch: Branch Accounting

an/the olive branch

A symbol, expression, or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. Used most commonly in the phrase "hold out/offer (someone) an/the olive branch." The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out the olive branch.
See also: branch, olive

branch off

To split or move away from something. Don't worry, you can stay on Main Street for now—the street you need to turn on to branches off of Main Street. The subclavian artery branches off from the aorta.
See also: branch, off

branch out

1. To split or move away from something. The subclavian artery branches out from the aorta.
2. To grow out from a tree trunk or limb, as of a tree branch. I'm pretty sure the limb that fell in our yard branched out from your tree.
3. To explore something new; to widen one's interests or scope of expertise. You're a great student, honey, but I would really like for you to branch out and try a sport this year. Paul used to only be interested in still photography, but he's branching out and shooting movies now.
See also: branch, out

fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down

slang Said of someone or something that is deemed very unattractive. That hairless cat is hideous—it's like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
See also: and, branch, down, every, fell, hit, of, on, out, tree, ugly, way

hold out an olive branch (to someone)

To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. The conservatives in Congress seem to be holding out an olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out an olive branch.
See also: branch, hold, olive, out

hold out an/the olive branch

To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc., so as to end a disagreement or dispute. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out the olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to hold out an olive branch by going home for Christmas.
See also: branch, hold, olive, out

hold out the olive branch (to someone)

To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. The conservatives in Congress seem to be holding out the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out the olive branch.
See also: branch, hold, olive, out

offer an olive branch (to someone)

To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone an olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering an olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer an olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them an olive branch at Christmas.
See also: branch, offer, olive

offer the olive branch (to someone)

To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone the olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer the olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them the olive branch at Christmas.
See also: branch, offer, olive

private branch exchange

A telephone system within an institution or business that can only be used by the people inside that establishment. There was an issue with the private branch exchange this morning, but we hope to have the phones working again shortly.
See also: branch, exchange, private

root and branch

In its entirety; wholly. The company has changed root and branch since it was bought out by the media conglomerate. The new administration is aiming to overhaul the tax system root and branch.
See also: and, branch, root

the highest branch is not the safest roost

proverb Because a position of power is widely coveted, it does not guarantee safety to the holder. Why do you think so many prominent people have been assassinated? The highest branch is not the safest roost. I know you want to be president one day, but honey, the highest branch is not the safest roost.
See also: branch, high, not, roost, safe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

branch off (from something)

to separate off from something; to divide away from something. A small stream branched off from the main channel. An irrigation ditch branched off here and there.
See also: branch, off

branch out

 (from something)
1. Lit. [for a branch] to grow out of a branch or trunk. (Having to do with plants and trees.) A twig branched out of the main limb and grew straight up. The bush branched out from the base.
2. Fig. to expand away from something; to diversify away from narrower interests. The speaker branched out from her prepared remarks. The topic was very broad, and she was free to branch out.
See also: branch, out

branch out (into something)

Fig. to diversify and go into new areas. I have decided to branch out into some new projects. Business was very good, so I decided to branch out.
See also: branch, out

hold out the olive branch

Fig. to offer to end a dispute and be friendly; to offer reconciliation. (The olive branch is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. A biblical reference.) Jill was the first to hold out the olive branch after our argument. I always try to hold out the olive branch to someone I have offended. Life is too short for a person to bear grudges for very long.
See also: branch, hold, olive, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

branch off

Diverge, subdivide, as in It's the house on the left, just after the road branches off, or English and Dutch branched off from an older parent language, West Germanic. This term alludes to a tree's growth pattern, in which branches grow in separate directions from the main trunk. [Second half of 1800s] Also see branch out.
See also: branch, off

branch out

Separate into subdivisions; strike off in a new direction. For example, Our software business is branching out into more interactive products, or Bill doesn't want to concentrate on just one field; he wants to branch out more. This term alludes to the growth habits of a tree's limbs. [Early 1700s] Also see branch off.
See also: branch, out

olive branch

A symbol of peace, an offering of good will, as in They feuded for years, but finally the Hatfields came over bearing an olive branch. This term is alluded to in the Bible (Genesis 8:11), where the dove comes to Noah after the flood with an olive leaf in its mouth. [c. 1600]
See also: branch, olive

root and branch

Utterly, completely, as in The company has been transformed root and branch by the new management. Alluding to both the underground and aboveground parts of a tree, this idiom was first recorded in 1640.
See also: and, branch, root
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hold out an olive branch

or

offer an olive branch

COMMON If you hold out an olive branch or offer an olive branch to someone, you say or do something to show that you want to end a disagreement with them. We are holding out an olive branch, inviting the landowners to talk to us. The authorities have offered an olive branch to the community. Note: You can say that someone accepts an olive branch if they accept the thing that has been said or done to end the disagreement. It would be some time before he would accept the olive branch offered to him. Note: You can use olive branch to mean an offer of peace or friendship. I think the olive branch will have to come from both sides. He invited the world to choose between the gun and the olive branch. Note: The story of the Flood in the Bible tells how Noah sent out first a raven, then a dove, to see if there was any sign of land. If they found some land, it would mean that God had forgiven man: `And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off; so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.' (Genesis 8:11)
See also: branch, hold, olive, out

root and branch

COMMON If something is changed or reformed root and branch, it is changed or reformed completely, so that none of the old or traditional parts remain. These genuinely radical measures should change our economic system root and branch. Note: A root-and-branch reform, change or examination is a complete reform, change or examination. The Chief Inspector of Prisons called for root and branch reform of the prison system yesterday. The government has embarked on a root and branch review of the future of student finance. Note: In 1641 the Root and Branch Bill abolishing the government of the church by bishops was presented to the English Parliament. Those who supported the bill were known as `root-and-branch men', and the term has been used to refer to reform ever since.
See also: and, branch, root
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hold out (or offer) an olive branch

offer a token of peace or goodwill.
A branch of an olive tree is an emblem of peace. In the Bible, it was the token brought by a dove to Noah to indicate that God's anger was assuaged and that the flood had abated (Genesis 8:11).
See also: branch, hold, olive, out

root and branch

used to express the thorough or radical nature of a process or operation.
1999 Which? Last year, the government undertook a root and branch examination of the home-buying process in England and Wales.
See also: and, branch, root
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

hold out/offer an ˈolive branch (to somebody)

show that you want to make peace with somebody: After their argument, he was the first one to hold out an olive branch. OPPOSITE: throw down the gauntletThe olive branch is an ancient symbol of peace.
See also: branch, hold, offer, olive, out

ˌroot and ˈbranch

completely; thoroughly: The independence movement has been destroyed root and branch.
See also: and, branch, root
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

branch off

v.
1. To separate from a main road or path and follow a smaller one: Take a left where the main trail branches off onto a footpath.
2. To separate from a primary source or origin and move or develop in a different direction: After we discovered a new species of insect, some members of our research team branched off and are studying it. A new political group has branched off from the old party.
See also: branch, off

branch out

v.
1. To develop or have many branches or tributaries: Once this tree reaches a certain size, it will begin to branch out. The river branches out into a great delta before flowing into the sea.
2. To grow out of a tree trunk or branch: I like to sit on a large limb that branches out from the apple tree.
3. To expand the scope of one's interests or activities into a new area or areas: At first I studied only Latin, but later I branched out and began learning other languages, too.
See also: branch, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

root and branch

Utterly; completely: The organization has been transformed root and branch by its new leaders.
See also: and, branch, root
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • an/the olive branch
  • olive
  • olive branch
  • how/what about...?
  • how about
  • eggs is eggs
  • open sesame
  • be twiddling (one's) thumbs
  • be twiddling your thumbs
  • How long is a piece of string?
References in classic literature
"Now, then, I shall really enjoy life," said he exultingly, and spread out his branches; but, alas, they were all withered and yellow!
"Only look what is still on the ugly old Christmas tree!" said he, trampling on the branches, so that they all cracked beneath his feet.
Andersens Fairy Tales
Sheeta bounded into a near-by thicket, while Tarzan took to the low branches of an overhanging tree.
The Beasts of Tarzan
But before they discussed the details of my map I had to tell them of my encounter with the ape-man among the branches.
"I do not think it could have made off so fast among the branches if it could not get a grip with its feet."
The Lost World
Chattering and gibbering through the lower branches of the trees came a company of manlike creatures evidently urging on the dog pack.
At sight of me several of the savage creatures left off worrying the great brute to come slinking with bared fangs toward me, and as I turned to run toward the trees again to seek safety among the lower branches, I saw a number of the man-apes leaping and chattering in the foliage of the nearest tree.
At the Earths Core
Of course Mowgli, as a woodcutter's child, inherited all sorts of instincts, and used to make little huts of fallen branches without thinking how he came to do it.
The next thing he remembered was feeling hands on his legs and arms--hard, strong, little hands--and then a swash of branches in his face, and then he was staring down through the swaying boughs as Baloo woke the jungle with his deep cries and Bagheera bounded up the trunk with every tooth bared.
It was useless to look down, for he could only see the topsides of the branches, so he stared upward and saw, far away in the blue, Rann the Kite balancing and wheeling as he kept watch over the jungle waiting for things to die.
Bagheera climbed as he had never climbed before, but the thin branches broke beneath his weight, and he slipped down, his claws full of bark.
"Unless and until they drop him from the branches in sport, or kill him out of idleness, I have no fear for the man-cub.
Jungle Book
Before the ape could turn again, Tarzan had fled far aloft among the branches of the upper terrace.
The impetuosity of this act and the weight and momentum of his body carried the bull backward, clutching and clawing for support, down through the leafy branches of the tree.
She had even placed her precious balu upon the soft grasses and come a little nearer that she might better witness all that was passing in the branches above her.
Jungle Tales of Tarzan