# don't cry over spilt milk

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dont-cry-over-spilt-milk
Updated: 2026-06-07

## 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

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.