What Does ''Water Under the Bridge'' Mean?

[Anonymous]

I've heard this phrase over and over in the last few days. Does anyone know the exact meaning?

[MTC29]

What has passed/said is now in the past.

"Sweetheart, when you asked me if those pants made you look fat, I'm sorry I said, 'It's not the pants it's your big ass."

"Water under the bridge."

[Sure, it is].

[DryGermanGuy]

It means something is in the past, you should already forget about it and not bring it up again.

[AI Opinion]

I've also heard this phrase many times. So I did some research on idioms in general and realized that most of them are actually derived from their literal meanings. I briefly summarized the one you asked. Please have a look at my post below :)

What does Water Under the Bridge Mean?

Water under the bridge is a phrase that means something that has happened in the past and is not worth worrying about anymore.

• The phrase is often used to describe a situation where someone has made a mistake and they are not going to make the same mistake again.
• The phrase can also be used to describe a situation where two people have had a disagreement and have decided to move on and not let it affect their relationship.

How Do You Use the Phrase Water Under the Bridge?

The phrase "water under the bridge" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe a situation that is in the past and cannot be changed. The phrase is often used when someone wants to emphasize that a particular event is not worth dwelling on because it can't be changed.

The phrase "water under the bridge" is derived from the literal meaning of the words. When water flows under a bridge, it is gone and cannot be retrieved. This is similar to how an event in the past cannot be changed.

The phrase "water under the bridge" can be used in a variety of different contexts. For example, if two friends have a falling out, they might eventually reconcile and one might say "let's not worry about what happened, it's water under the bridge."

In general, the phrase "water under the bridge" is a way of saying that something is in the past and should be forgotten about.

[DaveJord]

Usually means if you're not sure what a phrase means you should use google.

Definitions
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

phrase of water

used to refer to events or situations that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important or as a source of concern.

Once water flows under the bridge it is gone, down stream into the ocean eventually, essentially "what's done is done", "It is what it is, it will be what it be" its not not coming back round, so get over it. It happened so "quit crying over spilt milk", "the fat lady has sung", "it has left the building", "don't make a mountain out of a mole mound, let it go like water under the bridge."

[Chazmatazz269]

The idea is that time flows like water while our understanding of our lives is fixed like a bridge. The water under the bridge isn’t the same water that was there just a moment ago. Neither is an incident in life the same today as it was at the moment it occurred.
It’s meant as an axiom to help us move on with our lives, focus on this present, and often to forgive.

[1GoldTwins]

It means that you had a problem or argument and you want to let it go. It's no longer relevant or important, let's move on from it, water under the bridge.

[MrsTurkleton]

It means that whatever happened has passed..::like water under the bridge. It went in one side, came out of the other and flowed away.

[BCRanger10]

It means an issue of some sort is in the past and should stay there.

[FilmGuy93]

It just means that the past is in the past and they've moved on.

[TheFlak38]

It means to be the one and holding on.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdcTjiqC-4g

[Subarugirl]

Basically it means the past is in the past so let it go.

[Iron_Man]

That means the past is the past it’s a done deal let’s move forward

[RuthlessAggression]

nothing. it just means, its in the past. leave it alone, ok?

[Mangospacho]

It’s a good thing. It means they’re letting it go or that they’ve moved past the issue.

[anylolone]

Something which is in the past and no longer relevant.

[Anonymous]

It means what happened is in the past and you need to move the fuck on.

[Anonymous]

Its a way of saying something can't be changed and you have to accept it.

[scooogy]

Maybe reasons for someone's caution?

[Fuentes]

It means it's all good

[panamared1]

It is in the past, let it go

[Anonymous]

it's in the past

[Dat-Alpha-Lion]

“It’s all good.”