Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cry-over-spilled-milk

idiom
/kraɪ ˌoʊvər spɪl(p) t mɪlk/
Definition
To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Examples
  • There’s no point in crying over spilled milk; we need to focus on the next steps.
  • She was upset about the lost opportunity, but I reminded her not to cry over spilled milk.
  • It’s easy to cry over spilled milk, but it’s important to learn from our mistakes instead.
Meaning
It refers to the act of lamenting over past mistakes or events, especially when there’s no way to fix or change what has occurred.
Synonyms
  • Wasting energy on the past
  • Fretting over missed chances
  • Regretting former errors