to take off (one's clothes) · (fig.) to shed (one's former image etc) · (of a fad or the after-effects of a disaster etc) to subside · also pr.

Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.