it's water under the bridge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's water under the bridge" is correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.
It means that a past conflict or mistake has been resolved and is no longer important or relevant. Example: "I know we had our differences in the past, but let's not dwell on it. It's water under the bridge now." In this example, the phrase is used to indicate that the speaker and another person had an issue in the past but have moved on from it and do not want to continue discussing it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But it's water under the bridge.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's all right, it's water under the bridge.

The Guardian

I've lamented that fact, but at this point it's water under the bridge.

The New York Times

"It's a long time ago and it's water under the bridge.

The New Yorker

"I think it's water under the bridge," receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's water under the bridge," Nedved said, referring to their past difficulties.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I said it was water under the bridge.

The New Yorker

But it was water under the bridge at the time.

Forbes

But you said it was water under the bridge, right?

Vice

Nance has communicated directly with Bryant, who said it was "water under the bridge".

Los Angeles Times

But that's water under the bridge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's water under the bridge" to clearly signal that a past issue is no longer relevant and should not be discussed further. It helps to create a forward-looking and positive atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "it's water under the bridge" when the issue at hand still evokes strong negative emotions or unresolved feelings. This can come across as dismissive and insincere, potentially damaging relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's water under the bridge" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a past event or disagreement is no longer significant or relevant. Ludwig AI confirms that it signifies the resolution of a past conflict, promoting closure and forward movement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "it's water under the bridge" is a commonly used expression to convey that a past issue is no longer significant. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase functions to promote reconciliation and a forward-looking perspective. While applicable in various contexts, its usage should be avoided when genuine resentment or unresolved feelings persist. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse settings. Alternatives such as "that's in the past" and "we've moved on" offer similar sentiments. When you want to clearly signal that a past issue is no longer relevant it helps to use "it's water under the bridge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's behind us now

Indicates that the matter is in the past and no longer affecting the present.

we've moved on

Highlights the act of progressing beyond a past issue.

that's in the past

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the issue being resolved.

the issue is resolved

States directly that a problem has been settled.

let bygones be bygones

A more traditional and formal way of saying something should be forgotten.

forget about it

A more casual and direct way to dismiss a past issue.

no use crying over spilt milk

Highlights the futility of regretting something that cannot be undone.

that's ancient history

Emphasizes that the matter is old and irrelevant.

it's all said and done

Indicates the matter is finished and there's nothing more to add.

time heals all wounds

Focuses more on the emotional recovery from past events.

FAQs

What does "it's water under the bridge" mean?

The idiom "it's water under the bridge" means that something that happened in the past is no longer significant or worth worrying about. It suggests that the issue has been resolved or is no longer affecting the present situation.

How can I use "it's water under the bridge" in a sentence?

You can use "it's water under the bridge" when you want to indicate that you are moving on from a past disagreement or problem. For example: "I know we argued last week, but "it's water under the bridge" now, so let's focus on the future."

What are some alternative phrases to "it's water under the bridge"?

Some alternative phrases you can use instead of "it's water under the bridge" include "that's in the past", "let bygones be bygones", or "we've moved on". Each emphasizes the idea of leaving the past behind.

When is it appropriate to use "it's water under the bridge"?

It is appropriate to use "it's water under the bridge" when you genuinely want to signal that you have forgiven or forgotten a past issue and are ready to move forward. However, it should be avoided if the other person is still significantly affected by what happened or if there are still unresolved issues.