unring

unring a bell

To rescind information that has been shared publicly, especially that which is damaging to a person or organization's reputation. Just as a bell cannot be "unrung," this is usually a futile effort. How confident are you in this information? Because once we announce it, we can't unring a bell. You may think your lawyers can unring a bell, but I doubt this scandal is going away anytime soon.
See also: bell, unring

you can't unring a bell

proverb You can't rescind information that has been shared publicly, especially when it is damaging to a person or organization's reputation. Attempting to do so is usually as futile as "unringing" a bell. How confident are you in this information? Because once we announce it, there's no changing it—you can't unring a bell. You can't unring a bell, even with the best lawyers. So I doubt this scandal is going away anytime soon.
See also: bell, unring
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • unring a bell
  • you can't unring a bell
  • the toothpaste is out of the tube
  • character
  • character assassination
  • place (one) in an awkward position
  • place in an awkward position
  • put (one) in an awkward position
  • put in an awkward position
  • a good name is sooner lost than won