cry over spilled milk
/kraɪ ˈoʊvər spɪld mɪlk/
Meaning
This phrase means to waste time worrying or feeling sad about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed or undone. It is typically used in the negative, as in 'no use crying over spilled milk', to encourage someone to move on and focus on solutions instead of regrets. The tone is pragmatic, comforting, or sometimes slightly dismissive.
Examples
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I know you're upset about losing the keys, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.
I know you're upset about losing the keys, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.
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We missed the flight, so crying over spilled milk won't help; let's just book the next one.
We missed the flight, so crying over spilled milk won't help; let's just book the next one.
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It's done, and we can't change it, so let's not cry over spilled milk.
It's done, and we can't change it, so let's not cry over spilled milk.
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She spent the whole weekend crying over spilled milk about her exam results instead of studying for the next one.
She spent the whole weekend crying over spilled milk about her exam results instead of studying for the next one.
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Yes, the company lost money on that deal, but crying over spilled milk won't bring it back.
Yes, the company lost money on that deal, but crying over spilled milk won't bring it back.
Common Mistakes
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✗ It is no use to cry over spilled milk.
✓ There's no use crying over spilled milk.
The idiomatic structure is 'there's no use crying...' using the gerund (-ing) form after the phrase.
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✗ Don't cry about the spilled milk.
✓ Don't cry over spilled milk.
The standard preposition for this idiom is 'over', not 'about'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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We lost the contract, but there is no use ___ now; let's focus on the next client.
💡 Worrying about a past mistake that cannot be undone
Show answer
crying over spilled milk
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Instead of ___ about your mistakes, you should learn from them and move on.
💡 Regretting something that has already happened
Show answer
crying over spilled milk