water under the bridge

water under the bridge
also, water over the dam

Meaning | Synonyms

• past events that are not important anymore
• something that has happened and cannot be changed, hence, not important
• past occurrence that cannot be changed
• events that occurred long ago and have been forgotten
• to let bygones be bygones

Example Sentences

1. We used to have big disagreements some years back, but that's all water under the bridge now. We get along fine.
2. When I was a child, I used to fancy myself being a sportsperson when I grew up, but that's water under the bridge. Now I am stuck at this mundane job.
3. I don't want to talk about the argument we had last week. It's water under the bridge now.
4. I should have negotiated a higher salary when I was offered the job, but that's water under the bridge now.
5. Both parties agreed that their past disputes were water under the bridge and decided to work together towards a common goal.

Origin

The phrase originated around the early 1900s. It probably refers to the fact that water (of a river) flows constantly towards the sea and is not still, indicating that the water that has already flowed under the bridge will not return.