cry over spilt milk en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (UK) audio
Meanings
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(idiomatic, informal) To 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: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: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:'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:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| cried over spilt milk | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| cried over spilt milk | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| crying over spilt milk | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| cries over spilt milk | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| cry over spilled milk | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
spilt milk · what's done is done
Translations (23)
es a lo hecho, pecho (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · hu késő bánat ebgondolat (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · hu eső után köpönyeg (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · cs plakat nad rozlitým mlékem (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · it non piangere sul latte versato (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · fr se lamenter sur le passé (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · ga goil in áit na maoiseoige (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · pt chorar pelo leite derramado (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · cmn 吃後悔藥 /吃后悔药 (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · fi itkeä maahan kaatunutta maitoa (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · he בכה על חלב שנשפך (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · sv gråta över spilld mjölk (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · es llorar por la leche derramada (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · da græde over spildt mælk (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · hu veszett fejsze nyele (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · it inutile piangere sul latte versato (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · nl huilen om gemorste melk (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · fr pleurer sur le lait renversé (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · pl płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · ar لَا تَبْكِ عَلَى اَلْحَلِيب اَلْمَسْكُوب (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · es llorar sobre la leche derramada (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · pt chorar sobre leite derramado (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened) · pt chorar sobre o leite derramado (to worry about unfortunate events which have already happened)