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Explaining "It is no use crying over spilt milk"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 30/09/2024, 05:52
English.me team member

What does it mean?

It is no use crying over spilt milk

The phrase means that there's no point in getting upset or wasting time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.

Tone

Pragmatic

Origin

The phrase dates back to at least the 17th century and was popularized in its current form in the early 19th century. It suggests the futility of lamenting over things that are in the past.

Examples of usage

  • After failing the exam, Jane realized that it was no use crying over spilt milk and started preparing for the retake.
  • Once the deal was off, the manager reminded everyone that it was no use crying over spilt milk and encouraged them to focus on future opportunities.