water under the bridge

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water under the bridge (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven, or forgotten.

   Synonym: water over the dam

   They agreed that their old disputes were water under the bridge and decided to make a fresh start.

   • 1942, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Casablanca:

     Ilsa: It's been a long time.
     Sam: Yes, ma'am. A lot of water under the bridge.

   • 2000, Bob Dylan (lyrics and music), “Things Have Changed”:

     Lot of water under the bridge; lot of other stuff, too / Don’t get up, gentlemen, I’m only passing through

• ancient history
• bygones
• cry over spilt milk
• here we are
• irreversibility
• what's done is done