this is behind us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is behind us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular issue or event is in the past and no longer affects the present situation. Example: "After discussing our differences, I feel that this is behind us and we can move forward together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"This is behind us already," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Long-term planning can and will take place once this is behind us".

The New York Times

"One can't be at all confident the worst of this is behind us".

The New York Times

"The important thing is that this is behind us," he said in a statement.

The New York Times

With this week's developments and the stock over $200, "in one sense I can say this is behind us," Mr. Hastings said.

The New York Times

"I really hope that this is behind us, because really it is not helping the name of the company," Prince Alwaleed said in rare public comments about the company.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We are pleased that this matter is behind us," a bank spokesman said Thursday.

The New York Times

"With a little smile on his face," Secretary Powell added, "he said, 'Well, at least this disagreement is behind us.' Meaning, be done with it".

The New York Times

"It's to make absolutely sure this issue is behind us," Mr. Eckert said in his office, surrounded by portraits of Barbie by artists like Andy Warhol and Peter Max.

The New York Times

We shuffle in and sit for a few minutes on the frigid floor, stifling private doubts about whether this game is behind us, summoning the body heat and energy to begin.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is no way we are going to have a situation where we just say this $4.5bn is behind us and we have no idea when we might get it," Miller said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is behind us" when you want to clearly communicate that a problem, conflict, or negative situation has been resolved and is no longer affecting current actions or decisions. This phrase is useful for setting a positive tone and encouraging forward momentum.

Common error

Avoid using "this is behind us" if the issue hasn't truly been resolved or if lingering effects still exist. Prematurely declaring closure can undermine trust and make it seem like you're minimizing the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is behind us" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular issue or event is resolved and belongs to the past. Ludwig examples show it used to express closure and encourage a forward-looking perspective. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is behind us" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a past issue or event is resolved and no longer relevant. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express closure and encourage a focus on future opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples provided demonstrate its effectiveness in setting a positive tone and promoting forward momentum. While suitable for various communication settings, it's crucial to ensure genuine resolution before using the phrase to avoid undermining trust. Alternatives like "we've moved past this" or "that's in the past" offer similar ways to convey closure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's behind us now

A slightly reordered version of the original phrase, emphasizing the present.

we've moved past this

Emphasizes the act of progressing beyond a particular issue.

we have put that behind us

Highlights the conscious effort to leave something in the past.

that's in the past

A simple and direct way to state that something is over.

it's a closed chapter

Suggests the end of a particular phase or episode.

we are past that

A more concise version of "we've moved past this".

it's water under the bridge

An idiomatic expression suggesting that an event is over and done with.

we're done with that

Indicates a sense of finality and closure regarding a topic.

that's ancient history

Implies that something happened a long time ago and is no longer relevant.

it's all over now

Focuses on the completion and conclusion of an event.

FAQs

What does the phrase "this is behind us" mean?

The phrase "this is behind us" means that a particular issue, problem, or event is in the past and no longer affecting the present situation or future plans. It signifies closure and a move forward.

What can I say instead of "this is behind us"?

You can use alternatives like "we've moved past this", "that's in the past", or "it's water under the bridge" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this is behind us"?

It's appropriate to use "this is behind us" when you want to emphasize that a problem has been resolved and is no longer a concern. It's often used to create a sense of closure and encourage a focus on the future.

What's the difference between "this is behind us" and "this will never be behind us"?

"This is behind us" indicates that something is finished and no longer relevant, while "this will never be behind us" signifies a lasting impact or unresolved issue that will continue to affect the future. The second phrase suggests that the topic will remain relevant.