- Past events, conflicts, disagreements, or problems that are now considered resolved, forgiven, forgotten, and no longer important or relevant to the present.
Explanation
Origin
- Evokes the image of water flowing continuously under a bridge and moving downstream. Once the water has passed, it's gone and cannot return to that point.
- Metaphorically, it signifies that past issues are behind us and should not affect the present or future. The phrase became common in the early 20th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- That's history / That's ancient history (Emphasizes irrelevance due to time passed)
- Forget about it / Fuhgeddaboudit (NY slang, often dismissive or reassuring)
- We're cool / It's all cool (Signifies resolution of conflict, no hard feelings)
- Squash it (Resolve a conflict or issue)
Milder/Standard:
- Let's move on / Moving on
- That's behind us now
- Let bygones be bygones
- It's forgiven and forgotten
- We've put that behind us
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in informal and semi-formal contexts, especially in personal relationships or among colleagues to signify resolution.
- Can sound dismissive or minimizing if used too soon after a serious issue or if the other person clearly hasn't moved past it yet. Ensure mutual agreement before declaring something water under the bridge.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood. The main risk is using it insensitively when the other party still feels affected by the past issue. It implies the issue *should* be forgotten, which might not align with everyone's feelings.
Examples
- We had a big argument last year, but it's all water under the bridge now.
- Don't keep bringing up that old mistake; it's water under the bridge.
- They decided to let their past disagreements be water under the bridge and work together.
Dialogue
Person A: I still feel awkward about that comment I made at dinner last month. I hope it didn't offend you.
Person B: Honestly, I'd completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it! Don't worry, it's totally water under the bridge. We're good.
Person A: Oh, thank goodness. I'm relieved.
Person B: No worries at all. So, did you catch the game last night?
Social Media Examples
- Facebook Post: Reconnected with an old friend today after years of silence. Talked through our old fight, and now it feels like water under the bridge. #Friendship #Reconciliation
- Tweet: Stop bringing up stuff from 5 years ago! It's water under the bridge. Let's focus on now. #MoveOn #PastIsPassed
- Comment on an old argument thread: Can we all agree this is water under the bridge now and stop arguing?
Response Patterns
Typically accepted with relief, agreement, or acknowledgement.
- Okay, good. / I'm glad to hear that.
- You're right, let's move on.
- Thanks, I appreciate you saying that.
- Yeah, no point dwelling on the past.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Usually marks the end of discussion on that particular past topic.
- The conversation shifts to current or future matters.
- It reinforces forgiveness, reconciliation, or a mutual decision to move past something.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's used to close off discussion about a past issue, often in response to someone bringing it up.
Intonation
- Often said with a dismissive, reassuring, or conclusive tone. Sometimes accompanied by a hand gesture waving the past away.
- Emphasis usually on WATER, UNDER, and BRIDGE.
- Ah, forget about that. It's all WATER UNDER the BRIDGE.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common and universally understood in all major English-speaking regions.