kraɪ ˈoʊvər spɪld mɪlk
Food & Cooking
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- To weep about milk that has been spilled
What does "cry over spilled milk" mean?
- To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed
- To waste time regretting past mistakes
Examples
- It's done now—no use crying over spilled milk.
- Don't cry over spilled milk; learn from the mistake and move on.
- She kept crying over spilled milk about the failed project.
Origin
Dating from the 17th century, the proverb emphasizes that lamenting past accidents is pointless. Once milk is spilled, crying won't unspill it. Usually used in negative form: 'don't cry over spilled milk.'
How to use it
Almost always used in negative construction ('don't cry over spilled milk'). Advises acceptance rather than regret.
Similar expressions
water under the bridge
what's done is done
Opposites
learn from mistakes
prevention
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
Use it in a practice answer
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