put that behind you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put that behind you" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to encourage someone to move on from a past event or experience that may be troubling them. Example: "After the difficult breakup, it was important for her to put that behind her and focus on her future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"You have to put that behind you," Rivera said of Mueller's July home run.

The New York Times - Sports

"If it had happened today, you have to put that behind you, too".

The New York Times - Sports

"To put that behind you, we all had to have the same objective.

The New York Times - Sports

I can understand your worry about lymphoma because of your brother's experience, but please put that behind you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I thought, 'I've been here before, but why are you thinking like this Perri, put that behind you, that was in the past'.

Independent

You have to put that behind you and be prepared to do it all over again just like you do when you lose.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It is time to put that all behind you.

BBC

You had a financial crisis and a recession, and let us hope you are putting that behind you.

The Guardian

"When you're a man, you hope you can put that stuff behind you". Simone insisted his misdeeds consisted of nothing more than making small bets with friends and refusing to testify.

Los Angeles Times

"You must be so happy, you can put that chapter behind you and move forward!" Their words are kind and I pretend to agree because I can't admit the truth to them.

Huffington Post

You put all that behind you; you go out there for the team, and winning is everything".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put that behind you" when encouraging someone to move forward after a setback or negative experience. Ensure the context makes it clear what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "put that behind you" when the issue at hand requires active resolution or accountability. It's more appropriate for situations where dwelling on the past is unproductive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put that behind you" functions as an idiomatic expression used to offer encouragement or advice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It serves to urge someone to dismiss a past event or experience from their mind and move forward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

15%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

9%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put that behind you" is an idiomatic expression used to encourage someone to move on from a negative experience or past event. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. While generally appropriate in neutral to informal contexts, it's important to consider the specific situation before using this phrase, ensuring it offers genuine support rather than dismissiveness. Related phrases, such as ""move on from that"" or "let it go", can serve as alternatives depending on the desired tone and formality. Remember that the goal is to help someone focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past, and be cautious about contexts where it may be seen as invalidating someone's feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move on from that

This alternative is a more direct and less idiomatic way of saying to forget something and continue forward.

leave it in the past

This suggests a conscious decision to keep something in the past and not let it affect the present.

let it go

This is a more general way of saying to release negative feelings about a past event.

get over it

This phrase is more informal and can sometimes sound dismissive, implying the issue isn't worth dwelling on.

forget about it

A casual way to dismiss something, suggesting it's not important enough to remember or worry about.

turn the page

This suggests starting a new chapter, leaving the previous one behind.

draw a line under it

This idiom suggests completing something and moving on to a new phase or activity.

rise above it

This option encourages you to overcome something with positive action, often referring to an insult or problem.

disregard that

This alternative asks to ignore something previously said or done and move on to a different topic.

reconcile yourself with the past

This is a more thoughtful action in order to make peace with your past mistakes.

FAQs

What does "put that behind you" mean?

The phrase "put that behind you" means to forget about something unpleasant that happened and move on with your life. It's a way of encouraging someone to not dwell on past problems or mistakes.

How can I use "put that behind you" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I know you're upset about the loss, but you need to "move on from that" and focus on the next game."

What can I say instead of "put that behind you"?

You can use alternatives like "get over it", "leave it in the past", or "let it go" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "put that behind you" in all situations?

No, it may not be appropriate in situations where the person needs to process their feelings or when the issue requires resolution. Consider the person's emotional state and the context before using the phrase.