What it means
Means wasting your energy being upset about something that's already happened and can't be undone. It's the sort of thing your nan whispers when you're still sulking about a burnt toast or a missed bus. The world's moved on, so should you, love.
Usage examples
"So you dented the car, no point crying over spilt milk now."
"I forgot my umbrella and got soaked but hey, can't cry over spilt milk."
"She's still moaning about that job rejection—proper crying over spilt milk if you ask me."
Where it comes from
This one's been kicking about since the 1600s. First popped up in writing in a book by James Howell in 1659, who mentioned 'no weeping for shed milk.' Back then, spilling milk was a proper annoyance—no fridge, no corner shop—so the saying was a sharp reminder to stop fretting the small stuff.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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