Water under the bridge
/ˈwɔːtər ˈʌndə ðə brɪdʒ/informal, neutralUK · US
What does “Water under the bridge” mean?
Water under the bridge means something unpleasant that happened in the past and is no longer worth worrying about.
The phrase does more than describe the past: saying it is usually an act of forgiveness.
It is gentle and very common in reconciliation.
When do people say it?
Used to close off an old dispute, often when accepting an apology.
“We had our disagreements, but that's water under the bridge now.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Twentieth century, from the image of a river carrying everything away.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “Water under the bridge” in other languages?
Related idioms
- A blessing in disguise, A misfortune that turns out well.
- Burn your bridges, To cut off any way back.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11