# thing of the past

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/thing-of-the-past
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something that has gone extinct or become obsolete.

## Examples

- In many cities, using cash is becoming a thing of the past.
- With the rise of digital streaming services, physical video rental stores have become a thing of the past.
- As automation continues to transform the manufacturing sector, many traditional manual labor roles are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

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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.