# water over the dam

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/water-over-the-dam
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An event or set of events which has already happened and cannot be changed.

## Examples

- That argument is water over the dam now.
- We cannot change the past, so let us treat those old mistakes as water over the dam.
- Although the financial loss was significant, the board decided to view the failed investment as water over the dam and focus on future growth.

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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.