live in the past

live in the past

To be overly focused on the past, especially to the point of interfering with one's current situation. I know Tiffany was your dream girl, but you need to move on and stop living in the past. If you think that kind of rhetoric is still effective, you're living in the past.
See also: live, past
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

live in the past

Fig. to live while dwelling on past memories without participating in the present or planning for the future. You are just living in the past. Join us in the twenty-first century. Living in the past has its advantages.
See also: live, past
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

live in the past

1 have old-fashioned or outdated ideas and attitudes. 2 dwell on or reminisce at length about past events.
See also: live, past
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • in (one's) hair
  • in hair
  • in your hair
  • get (someone or something) out of (one's) sight
  • get out of sight
  • choose (one's) battles (wisely)
  • cock-blocking
  • a fly on the wall
  • fly on the wall
  • conflict
References in periodicals archive
``Everything is judged on what has happened in the past, they still live in the past.