Water over the dam - When we say something is “water over the dam,” we’re stating that the matter is over and done with—it’s a thing of the past. This phrase is a call to recognize that what’s gone is gone, like water that has flowed over a dam and is now part of the distant current.
Similar Expressions
- Water under the bridge: Similarly, this idiom conveys the idea of past events that are no longer relevant.
- Spilled milk: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk,” they say. What’s done is done.
- Let bygones be bygones: Holding onto past grievances doesn’t help anyone. Just let them go.
Definitions, Synonyms & Antonyms
Definitions:
- “Water over the dam”: An event or problem that has passed and can no longer be changed.
- “Irretrievable” and “insurmountable” are friends in meaning.
Synonyms:
- Past
- Over and done with
- Irreversible
- History
Antonyms:
- Current
- Ongoing
- Present
- Pending
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Worrying about past mistakes is like trying to put water back over the dam—a complete waste of time.” - Distant Dribbles: Wit From the Waters
Proverbs & References
- “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why we call it the present.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” - An earlier form of reflecting on anticipated but uncertain future events.
Literature & Media
Literature:
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A timeless tale focusing on the irreversible nature of the past.
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck: The inherent struggle of accepting past actions.
Movies:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Love, loss, and letting go elegantly wrapped in cinematic brilliance.
- Inception (2010): How our pasts shape our present and future in ways mysterious and concrete.
Songs:
- “Let It Be” by The Beatles: A classic description of letting go.
- “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis: Reinforces the importance of moving forward without the baggage of our past.
Poetry:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: Reflecting on choices and the importance of moving forward no matter what.
Now let’s test our understanding of idioms about letting go through a few quiz questions!
### Which of these idioms means letting go of past issues?
- [x] Water over the dam
- [ ] Building castles in the air
- [ ] Putting the cart before the horse
- [ ] Crying wolf
> **Explanation:** "Water over the dam" refers to issues or events that are in the past and cannot be changed.
### What is synonymous with "water under the bridge"?
- [ ] Holding a grudge
- [ ] Counting your blessings
- [x] Letting bygones be bygones
- [ ] Chasing rainbows
> **Explanation:** "Letting bygones be bygones" is the most similar to "water under the bridge," as both encourage moving past old issues.
### Which phrase suggests regretting irreversible events?
- [x] Crying over spilled milk
- [ ] Having your cake and eating it too
- [ ] Best of both worlds
- [ ] Piece of cake
> **Explanation:** "Crying over spilled milk" means regretting things that have already happened—we can't change the past.
### True or False: 'Water over the dam' means your work is yet to be completed.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Water over the dam" implies that something is finished and cannot be undone, not that it is pending or incomplete.
### Match the idiom with its meaning:
1. "No point in crying over spilled milk."
2. "Burning bridges."
3. "Kicking the can down the road."
- a. Procrastination.
- b. Regretting past events.
- c. Severing relationships permanently.
- [x] 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
- [ ] 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
- [ ] 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
- [ ] 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
> **Explanation:** "No point in crying over spilled milk" (b) aligns with regretting the past; "Burning bridges" (c) with ending ties forever, and "Kicking the can down the road" (a) with delaying a decision or action.
May your past be as serene as the waters now far downstream, and your present be filled with the calm of acceptance. Farewell for now!
