Walk on eggshells

[1192] Water under the bridge

🎲 Wear your heart on your sleeve
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Past events, problems, or disagreements that are now forgiven, forgotten, or no longer considered important.
  • Implies that these past issues should not affect the present or future.

Origin

  • Uses the metaphor of water flowing under a bridge.
  • Once the water has passed under, it continues downstream and doesn't return.
  • Similarly, past events are gone and cannot be changed, so they shouldn't be worried about.
  • The phrase has been used since at least the early 20th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • It's in the past
  • Let bygones be bygones
  • Forget about it
  • That's ancient history
  • No use crying over spilled milk (focuses on irreversible past mistakes)
  • Done and dusted (UK/Aus meaning completed and finished)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Forget about it / Fuggedaboutit (US, esp. NY emphatic dismissal)
  • It's history / Ancient history
  • That ship has sailed (often means an opportunity is missed, but can imply the time for worrying is past)
  • Let it go

More Formal:

  • That matter is behind us now.
  • We have moved past that issue.
  • Let's consider the matter closed.
  • We should not dwell on the past.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in most contexts, informal and formal.
  • Useful for signaling forgiveness, reconciliation, or the irrelevance of past issues.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Learners might not grasp the figurative meaning of past irrelevance and forgiveness. Explain the metaphor of the flowing water.

Examples

  • We had a big argument years ago, but that's all water under the bridge now.
  • Yes, I made mistakes, but it's water under the bridge. Let's focus on moving forward.
  • Don't worry about that old disagreement; it's water under the bridge.

Dialogue

Alex: I still feel bad about forgetting your birthday last year.

Jamie: Honestly, don't worry about it. It's water under the bridge. We celebrated later, remember?

Alex: Okay, thanks. I just wanted to make sure.

Social Media Examples

  • Had a long talk with an old friend I hadn't spoken to in ages. Agreed that past disagreements are water under the bridge. Feels good to reconnect. #Friendship #Forgiveness
  • Company statement: 'Mistakes were made in the initial phase, but that is water under the bridge. We are focused on future success.' #Business #MovingForward

Response Patterns

  • Agreement/Acceptance: You're right., Okay, let's move on., Good.
  • Expressing relief: I'm glad to hear you say that., Okay, I feel better.
  • Confirmation: So we're good?, So it's forgotten?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After declaring something water under the bridge:

  • The conversation typically shifts away from the past issue.
  • Common follow-ups are So, anyway..., Let's talk about..., focusing on the present or future.
  • The action is to cease dwelling on or arguing about the past matter.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Used specifically to close off discussion about a past issue.

Intonation

  • Often said with a dismissive, accepting, or forgiving tone.
  • Emphasis usually on water and bridge.
  • Ah, don't worry, that's all WATER under the BRIDGE.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used by most generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Walk on eggshells
🎲 Wear your heart on your sleeve