is history

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is history' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as an informal idiom to mean that something is over, done, or finished. For example, "My relationship with Linda was going so well, but then she caught me with another girl and that's history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

-- is history.

The New York Times

Part is history.

The Economist

Europe is history.

The New York Times

History is history".

The New York Times - Sports

The first is history.

The New York Times

"That is history.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Budget deficits were history.

The Economist

That was history.

The New York Times

They, however, are history.

The Economist

It's history now".

The New York Times - Sports

His entrecôte was history.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is history" to succinctly convey that something is no longer relevant or has concluded, especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is history" in formal or academic writing where a more precise or nuanced expression might be required. Consider the tone of your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is history" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a predicate adjective. It signifies that something is over, finished, or no longer relevant. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a common expression used to indicate the end of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is history" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to express that something is over, finished, or no longer relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used and understood. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While useful in informal settings, be cautious about using it in formal or academic writing where a more precise term may be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "is a thing of the past" or "is finished" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a thing of the past

Emphasizes the outdated nature of something.

is finished

Indicates the completion or termination of something.

is over

Suggests that something has come to an end.

is bygone

Highlights that something belongs to an earlier time.

is in the past

Directly states that something occurred at an earlier time.

has passed

Indicates that a particular event or period has ended.

is no more

Highlights the non-existence of something.

is long gone

Stresses the disappearance or departure of something.

is ancient history

Emphasizes the remoteness and irrelevance of something.

is irrelevant now

Focuses on the lack of importance of something in the present.

FAQs

How can I use "is history" in a sentence?

You can use "is history" to indicate that something is over, finished, or no longer relevant. For example, "That argument "is history"; let's move on."

What can I say instead of "is history"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is a thing of the past", "is over", or "is finished", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is history" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is history" is generally considered informal. Formal writing might benefit from more precise or professional alternatives.

What's the difference between "is history" and "was history"?

"Is history" implies that something has just recently concluded or become irrelevant. "Was history" suggests that something ended or lost relevance at some point in the past.