From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbuild bridgesbuild bridgesFRIENDLYto try to establish a better relationship between people who do not like each other Peter needs to try and build bridges with Lizzie. → build
Examples from the Corpus
build bridges• Stuart knew very little about building bridges.• He helped them to build bridges and who knows what all.• She could picture her feelings and build bridges between different emotional ideas as a basis for reality testing and impulse control.• He had a strong commitment to building bridges between the divided community here.• Patrick was right, she must build bridges now with Lizzy.• The class erupted in laughter and they were like, you build bridges so they can blow them up?• Instead of building bridges to nowhere, we will build a solid foundation for our nation and its future generations.• The landed nobility showed no inclination to build bridges with urban property-owners, let alone workers and peasants. 