Idiom – Cry Over Spilled Milk

Cry Over Spilled Milk – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

To complain about something from the past that cannot change.

History: 

It originated in 1659 and was formed by British historian and writer James Howell in his work Paramoigraphy. Later in 1738, another writer, Jonathan Swift, used it in his work Polite conversation, where he wrote, “Tis a folly to cry for spilt milk.”

Example:

1. She made a mistake by quitting my job. But there is no point in crying over spilled milk now.
2. My son damaged my car, and I was furious about what happened, but I realized there is no use crying over spilled milk the next day.
3. Instead of crying over spilled milk, I started a new career.
4.  Bob’s presentation was a disaster, but we did not tell him. It was no use crying over spilled milk.
5. Tim was not able to crack the deal, and he is heartbroken. But there is no point crying over spilled milk.
6. It’s sad that you were not able to get admission to your favorite college. Rather than feeling hopeless, it would be best if you focused on getting admission to the next best college of your choice. There is no use crying over spilled milk.
7. The Australian football team could have performed better. Nonetheless, there is no use crying over spilled milk.

Scenario:

Friend 1: Yes, I have made a blunder by investing all my money in one company. I should not have done that.

Friend 2: What is the point of crying over spilled milk? You cannot change anything now.