cry over spilt milk

present singular third person cries over spilt milk · participle present crying over spilt milk · participle past cried over spilt milk · past cried over spilt milk · alternative cry over spilled milk

1. idiomaticinformalTo worry about unfortunate events which have already happened and which cannot be changed.

   'Tis a Folly to cry for spilt Milk.

   1738, Jonathan Swift, A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation

   4 more examples

   The Willington Mare, when she started so fast, Ah! we little thought then that the race was her last: Accurst be the stake that was stained with her blood! But, why cry for spilt milk?—May the next be as good.

   1833, Mr. Warburton, The Sportsman's Cabinet, and Town and Country Magazine, volumes 1-2, page 376

   'That's all right,' said Bond comfortingly. 'It's no good crying over spilt milk. It's all over now and thank heavens they let you alone.'

   1953, Ian Fleming, “Vesper”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 154

   There's no more time for crying over spilled milk Now it's time for crying in your beer

   1985, "Weird Al" Yankovic, “Dare to Be Stupid”, in Dare to Be Stupid, performed by "Weird Al" Yankovic

   Don't you bloody dare cry over spilt milk. You only have yourself to blame.

   2016, Barbara Hannay, The Grazier's Wife, Penguin Group Australia, →ISBN