Cry over spilt milk
/kraɪ ˈoʊvər spɪlt mɪlk/neutral, informalUK · US · AU · IE · CA
What does “Cry over spilt milk” mean?
Cry over spilt milk means to waste time feeling sad about a bad event that has already happened and cannot be changed.
This phrase means you should not stay upset about past accidents. Just like milk that has spilled on the floor, a past mistake cannot be put back or undone.
People usually say this to offer comfort or practical advice. It encourages a friend to accept the problem and focus on the future instead.
When do people say it?
People usually say this to advise someone to stop worrying about an accident they cannot fix.
“I lost my old watch, but there is no use crying over spilt milk.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral, informal. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
A similar phrase appeared in an English proverb collection in 1659. The exact earliest source is not fully settled.
Origin confidence: Reasonably documented
How do you say “Cry over spilt milk” in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11