# in the past

idiom · CEFR A1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/in-the-past
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

At a time before now. You use this to talk about things that happened or were true before the present moment.

## Examples

- I lived in the past in a small town.
- We do not worry about those mistakes anymore because they are firmly in the past.
- While he often romanticized the traditions of the past, he understood that modern progress was necessary for their future success.

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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.