abandon the past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abandon the past" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need to let go of previous experiences or memories in order to move forward in life or a situation. Example: "In order to grow and embrace new opportunities, it is essential to abandon the past and focus on the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Describing the picture, Maria implicitly resolves the problem that Messud always confronts: At what moment can we abandon the past?

The New York Times - Books

Among the many statements of Bourgeois is one that runs: "If your need is to refuse to abandon the past, you have to recreate it.

The Guardian - Arts

Mierzwiak's secretary is called Mary Svevo, a surname which recalls Zeno's Conscience by her namesake Italo, about a psychoanalyst who frustrates his patient's need to abandon the past.

The Guardian - Film

A willingness to abandon the past, an easygoing outlook, the early rumblings of the personal development movement, and a new wave of young entrepreneurs all combined to foster the development of new musical styles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In "A Simple Tale," an aging Ukrainian woman who has led an unrelentingly bleak life of exile and endurance (she and her husband moved to Canada after surviving German work camps) comes to wonder at what point she can abandon the past.

The New York Times - Books

To the extent the goal of the new restructuring mechanism is to force private investors to take better precautions, ex ante, the restructuring authorities would be well advised to abandon the past practice of largely ignoring variations in the boilerplate of sovereign debt contracts and giving equal treatment to different types of debt.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It got to a point where it sounded like digital was the future, so everyone abandoned the past.

The Guardian - Music

She's not abandoning the past and throwing everything out of the window, and I think that's good.

The Guardian

The latter call for (federal wage & price controls. Writer doubts that either party supports controls. A serious debate is beginning between groups in the process of abandoning the past.

The New Yorker

Instead, it is the carpetbaggers and the speculators who thrive in the collapse of the south; the people who seize their moment, abandoning the past for the possibilities of the future.

The Guardian - Books

The latter call for (federal wage & price controls. Writer doubts that either party supports controls. A serious debate is beginning between groups in the process of abandoning the past..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging innovation or change, use "abandon the past" to emphasize the necessity of shedding outdated practices or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid using "abandon the past" when you intend to suggest learning from past experiences. This phrase implies a complete rejection, not a reflective analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abandon the past" functions as a verb phrase, urging the act of relinquishing or disassociating from previous events, habits, or ideologies. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abandon the past" is a grammatically correct phrase used to advocate for discarding old ways and embracing new beginnings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not the most frequent expression, it's found across news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, implying a neutral register. To achieve clarity and precision, remember to consider the context and scope of this phrase, avoiding its use when reflection or learning from the past is intended instead of a clean break. Alternatives such as ""leave the past behind"" or ""let go of the past"" offer nuanced substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave the past behind

This alternative focuses on physically or metaphorically moving away from the past.

let go of the past

This option emphasizes releasing emotional attachments to past events.

move on from the past

This phrase highlights the act of progressing beyond past experiences.

disregard the past

This suggests ignoring or dismissing the importance of past events.

forget the past

This implies a conscious effort to erase or not remember past events.

transcend the past

This alternative implies rising above the limitations or constraints of the past.

break free from the past

Focuses on escaping the negative influences or burdens of prior experiences.

reject the past

This phrase conveys a strong sense of refusing to accept or acknowledge past events or beliefs.

erase the past

Indicates an attempt to completely remove or eliminate the record of past events.

outgrow the past

This option suggests maturing beyond the behaviors, beliefs or situations of one's past.

FAQs

How can I use "abandon the past" in a sentence?

You can use "abandon the past" to encourage someone to let go of previous failures or negative experiences and focus on the future. For example, "To truly innovate, we must "abandon the past" and embrace new ideas."

What is a good alternative to "abandon the past"?

Alternatives include "leave the past behind", "let go of the past", or "move on from the past" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "abandon the past"?

Use "abandon the past" when you want to emphasize the need to completely reject old ways of thinking or doing things. It's suitable when a clean break is required for progress or change.

What's the difference between "abandon the past" and "learn from the past"?

"Abandon the past" suggests discarding or ignoring past experiences, while "learn from the past" implies analyzing and using past experiences to inform future decisions. They represent opposite approaches to dealing with history.