to-cry-over-spilled-milk
/tuː kraɪ ˈəʊ.və ˈspɪld mɪlk/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
To feel upset about something bad that already happened, when being upset will not change it. It is used to tell someone to accept the situation and move on.
- Don't cry over spilled milk; the report is still fixable.
- She cried over spilled milk for hours.
- We made a mistake, but there's no point crying over spilled milk.
Adinary Nuance
This phrase is close to worry, regret, and complain, but it is stronger and more specific. It usually tells someone not to waste emotion on a past mistake. Use it when the past cannot be changed, not for a small ordinary disappointment.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đừng buồn chuyện đã rồi
- Spanish
- llorar sobre la leche derramada
- Chinese
- 为已成事实而懊悔
- Japanese
- 覆水盆に返らず
- Korean
- 엎질러진 우유를 울다
Etymology
This idiom comes from an older proverb that says spilled milk cannot be recovered. It has been used in English for centuries to mean useless regret.
Common phrases
don't cry over spilled milkcrying over spilled milkno use crying over spilled milk
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'to cry over spilled milk' formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in everyday speech. It also works well in writing.
- What does 'don't cry over spilled milk' mean?
- It means do not feel upset about a mistake that cannot be changed.
- Is this phrase used in business English?
- Yes, but usually in a friendly or advice-giving way, not in very formal reports.
- Can I use it for small problems?
- Yes, if the problem is already over and cannot be fixed now.