that was then, and this is now
that was then, and this is now
The situation in the past was drastically different from how it is in the present; what was true before is not representative of how things are now. A: "There used to be a time when banks wouldn't hesitate to give you a mortgage, so long as you had a good job." B: "That was then, and this is now. It's not as easy as that anymore." I understand the company made you certain promises when they first hired you. But that was then, and this is now. We just can't afford to pay for these benefits any longer.
See also: and, now, that, this
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- That was then. This is now.
- true enough
- be careful what you wish for(, it might (just) come true)
- hold true
- metamorphose into
- there's many a true word spoken in jest
- true to
- true to (someone or something)
- many a true word is spoken in jest
- transform