Idiom idiom
don't cry over spilt milk
Meaning
There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed
Examples
“The glass broke, but don't cry over spilt milk.”
“I know you missed the train, but don't cry over spilt milk; we can just take the next one.”
“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.”
Origin
first recorded 17th c.
first recorded 17th c.
Recorded as a proverb by James Howell (1659): 'no weeping for shed milk'.
Last updated June 7, 2026