cry over spilt milk
to waste time feeling sorry about an earlier mistake or problem that cannot be changed

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

cry over spilt milk
• cry over spilled/spilt milk
to cry or complain about something that has already happened
You should not cry over spilled milk. The past is past and you cannot do anything to change it.

"Don't cry over spilt milk. You can never change the past."

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

cry over spilt milk
v. phr., informal To cry or complain about something that has already happened; be unhappy about something that cannot be helped.
After the baby tore up Sue's picture book, Sue's mother told her there was no use crying over spilled milk.
You have lost the game but don't cry over spilt milk.
Compare: MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, WATER OVER THE DAM or WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲