Don't cry over spilled milk
Meaning
It is useless to be upset about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Origin
Imagine a 17th-century kitchen, bustling with daily chores, where milk was a vital, often hard-earned commodity before refrigeration. A sudden bump, a careless hand, and a pitcher of milk crashes to the floor, spreading white across the flagstones. The immediate instinct is frustration, perhaps tears, but the milk is gone; it cannot be un-spilled. This stark, common domestic mishap became the perfect metaphor for larger life lessons. The exact phrasing "Don't cry over spilled milk" solidified in English proverb collections by the mid-17th century, a direct and practical reminder to accept irreversible losses and move forward, rather than dwelling on the past.
Examples
- I know you're disappointed about the cancelled concert, but don't cry over spilled milk; we can find another band to see next week.
- Yes, you made a mistake on the report, but it's already submitted, so don't cry over spilled milk and just be more careful next time.