water under the bridge

water under the bridge

A prior issue that is now resolved or considered resolved. That argument we had is just water under the bridge now—don't even worry about it.
See also: bridge, water
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

water under the bridge

BRITISH, AMERICAN or

water over the dam

AMERICAN
If you say that a bad experience is water under the bridge, you mean that it happened a long time ago and so you do not feel upset or worried about it now. He didn't treat me very well at the time but it's all water under the bridge now. Mr Bruce said that he was relieved it was over and that he regarded his time in jail as water under the bridge. Note: You can also say things such as a lot of water has gone under the bridge to mean that a lot of time has passed or a lot of things have happened since a bad experience. It's almost two years since it happened and a lot of water has gone under the bridge. We're now on speaking terms with Marcia.
See also: bridge, water
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

water under the bridge

used to refer to events or situations in the past that are no longer to be regarded as important or a source of concern.
The related expression there's been a lot of water under the bridge since — is used to indicate that a lot of time has passed and a great many events have occurred since a particular event. A North American variant is water over the dam .
See also: bridge, water
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

be (all) water under the ˈbridge

(spoken) be an event, a mistake, etc. that has already happened and is now forgotten or no longer important: We had a terrible quarrel five years ago but that’s all water under the bridge.
See also: bridge, water
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

water under the bridge

A past occurrence, especially something unfortunate, that cannot be undone or rectified: All that is now just water under the bridge.
See also: bridge, water
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • be water under the bridge
  • after everything is said and done
  • don't halloo before you are out of the woods
  • don't halloo till you are out of the woods
  • don't whistle till you are out of the woods
  • don't whistle until you are out of the woods
  • halloo
  • never halloo before you are out of the woods
  • never halloo until you are out of the woods
  • never whistle till you are out of the woods
References in periodicals archive
However, the 25-year-old Indonesian said the controversy is now water under the bridge when she came to the Philippines last year for the Asian Club Championships.
Playing their best, PH gals falter vs world-class Thais
The fact Tony went out and slept with Bridget is now water under the bridge but a bigger obstacle seems to be little Joe.
Morag no more; HOME AND AWAY WEEKDAYS, FIVE, 6pm
The Sixties have both come and gone - in the sense that while the 1960s are water under the bridge, the Skelmanthorpers will all be celebrating their 60th birthdays this year.
Boom times again in Skelmanthorpe
'We weren't best pleased with the way they played and some of the things that went on but it was three years ago, so it's water under the bridge.'
Lambert bears Jose no grudge
Tiger Woods has refused to defuse his feud with Nick Faldo, despite the English legend insisting it is "water under the bridge".
Tiger's got his claws in Faldo
"The game at the Deva Stadium was a great contest and the supporters must have loved it, quite frankly we should have got something from the game, but that's water under the bridge," said City boss Keith Curle.
Football: City looking to avenge Deva defeat
It's time we stop playing games blaming Tryweryn, that is water under the bridge or in a pipe by now, what about an Eisteddfod in memory of those Welsh builders on Merseyside, who ruled Liverpool at one time.
YOUR LETTERS: Hard work pays
It seems to me, Mr Stevenson, that the damage is done and it is now all water under the bridge.
Letters: Circumvent
It's water under the bridge now, let's just rally behind our troops to restore law and order in Mindanao.
Why Duterte's martial law can't repeat abuses of Marcos'
He said: "I accept Scott's apology and as far as I'm concerned it's water under the bridge.
Van Zanten won't hold any grudge