Cry Over Spilled Milk – Idiom of the Day

Using idioms effectively in IELTS Speaking and Writing can make your answers sound more natural, fluent, and expressive. The idiom “Cry Over Spilled Milk” is ideal for describing situations where people regret mistakes or events that cannot be changed. This guide explains its meaning, history, examples, a scenario dialogue, and practice exercises to help you use it confidently in the IELTS exam.

Meaning of “Cry Over Spilled Milk”

• Definition: To complain or feel upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example Explanation: When someone says “don’t cry over spilled milk,” it means there is no point worrying about past mistakes because they cannot be undone.

Origin / History

The idiom dates back to 1659, first used by British historian and writer James Howell in his work Paramoigraphy. Later, in 1738, the famous writer Jonathan Swift popularised it in Polite Conversation, writing, “’Tis a folly to cry for spilt milk.” Since then, the phrase has been widely used to encourage letting go of regret and moving on.

Examples of “Cry Over Spilled Milk”

• She made a mistake by quitting her job, but there is no point in crying over spilled milk now.
• My son damaged my car, and though I was furious, I realised there was no use crying over spilled milk the next day.
• Instead of crying over spilled milk, I started a new career.
• Bob’s presentation was a disaster, but we did not criticise him. It was no use crying over spilled milk.
• Tim could not crack the deal and is heartbroken, but there is no point crying over spilled milk.
• You didn’t get admission to your favourite college, but rather than feeling hopeless, focus on the next best option. There is no use crying over spilled milk.
• The Australian football team could have performed better, but there is no use crying over spilled milk.

Usage of “Cry Over Spilled Milk” in IELTS Speaking

Here are some natural ways to use the idiom in your answers:

• “I didn’t score well in my mock test, but instead of crying over spilled milk, I focused on improving my weak areas.”
• “My team lost the match, but the coach told us not to cry over spilled milk and prepare for the next game.”
• “People often waste time regretting their past decisions, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

Pro Tip: Use this idiom in Speaking Part 2 or Part 3 when discussing mistakes, regrets, decision-making, or learning from experiences.

Scenario Dialogue

Friend 1: I made a huge blunder by investing all my money in one company. I shouldn’t have done that.
Friend 2: What’s the point of crying over spilled milk? You can’t change anything now.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer Using “Cry Over Spilled Milk”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a Time When You Made a Mistake and Learned From It

Last year, I invested a large part of my savings into a start-up without researching properly, and unfortunately, the company shut down within a few months. I was extremely upset at first, but then I realised there was no use crying over spilled milk. Instead, I analysed what went wrong and promised myself to make informed financial decisions in the future. The experience taught me the value of patience and careful planning.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Meaning

Choose the correct meaning of “Cry Over Spilled Milk” in each sentence:

1. She regretted missing the deadline, but her friend told her not to cry over spilled milk.
   a) Celebrate the past
   b) Worry about something that cannot be changed
   c) Make a new plan

2. After losing the championship, the coach reminded the team not to cry over spilled milk.
   a) Focus on future opportunities
   b) Celebrate the win
   c) Blame others

3. Instead of crying over spilled milk, he decided to prepare harder for the next exam.
   a) Regret past mistakes
   b) Move forward positively
   c) Ignore the problem

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks using “cry over spilled milk”:

1. You cannot undo the mistake, so don’t ____________________.
2. She realised there was no point in ____________________ after losing her wallet.
3. Instead of ____________________, he started looking for new job opportunities.

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. b) Worry about something that cannot be changed
2. a) Focus on future opportunities
3. b) Move forward positively

Exercise 2:

1. crying over spilled milk
2. crying over spilled milk
3. crying over spilled milk

To summarize idiom “Cry Over Spilled Milk” is perfect for describing regret about past events that cannot be changed. Using it naturally in IELTS Speaking or Writing can make your responses sound more fluent and thoughtful. Review the examples, exercises, and sample answer above to start using this idiom confidently.

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