ENGLISH
REFERENCE

don't cry over spilt milk

idiom
Meaning

There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed


Origin

first recorded 17th c.

Recorded as a proverb by James Howell (1659): 'no weeping for shed milk'.

Examples
SIMPLE

The glass broke, but don't cry over spilt milk.

CONTEXTUAL

I know you missed the train, but don't cry over spilt milk; we can just take the next one.

COMPLEX

While the loss of the contract was disappointing, the manager reminded the team not to cry over spilt milk and to focus on future opportunities instead.

Last updated June 7, 2026