that was then, this is now

alternative that was then and this is now · alternative that was then; this is now

1. set phraseThe situation, behavior, or opinion of a person or group has changed considerably; the circumstances or characteristics of something have changed considerably.

   Reminded of some of his past opinions about the coalition, he smiled and said what amounted to: That was then; this is now.

   1983 February 6, Joseph F. Sullivan, “Mr. Kean and the coalition”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 Jul 2018

   3 more examples

   Of course everyone remembers the glory days when Varsity was host to the Argos and then John Lennon and Yoko Ono – that was then, this is now.

   2007 February 1, Christopher Hume, “Varsity needs more than a 9 iron”, in The Star, Canada, retrieved 15 Jul 2018

   But in the 1990s a similar optimism hit here too, only to fizzle as gas prices plummeted and gas-guzzling SUVs took over the auto market with a vengeance. That was then; this is now.

   2009 July 16, Robert Chew, “Utilities Scramble to Meet Power Needs of Electric Cars”, in Time, retrieved 15 Jul 2018

   Yes, it is true that some time ago, Parliament could reasonably have been been said to be pro-EU and pro-single market. But that was then, this is now.

   2016 October 10, James Kirkup, “Brexit means Brexit, but Parliament is Parliament. MPs must vote on how we leave”, in Telegraph, UK, retrieved 15 Jul 2018