don't cry over spilled milk vs don't cry over spoiled milk

Both phrases are correct, but "don't cry over spilled milk" is the more common and widely recognized version of the idiom. It means not to worry about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 4777 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English as an idiom.

"don't cry over spilled milk"

This phrase is used to advise someone not to worry about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.

Examples:

I know you made a mistake, but don't cry over spilled milk. Just learn from it and move on.
There's no point in crying over spilled milk. Let's focus on finding a solution.
She was upset about losing the game, but I reminded her not to cry over spilled milk.
Don't cry over spilled milk. It's important to focus on what you can do now.
I understand you're disappointed, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.

Show examples from the web [+]

When it comes to the failure in Seattle, I do not however believe that we should "cry over spilled milk", as we say in Sweden.
Do you want to sit here and cry over spilled milk?
I don't cry over what happened in kindergarten.
Don't cry over what that rando Cebre says.
Don't cry over an old codger like myself.
Don't cry over Salif and Samba fighting.
You know, most people I know don't cry over nothing.
You know what they say: Don't cry over spilt fruit.
Don't cry over a dame that doesn't even know you're alive.
Don't cry, don't cry.
Please don't cry, Nurse Jackson.
Don't cry, I hate it when girls cry.
Don't cry no matter what happens in there.
Anna, don't cry, please.
Annie, don't cry, you were right.
Tom, don't cry for me.
I don't cry anymore, Daryl.
But don't cry for Grandma Esther.
No, I don't cry into my pillow.
Don't cry, we're at work.

Alternatives:

don't worry about things that have already happened
don't dwell on the past
don't lament over past mistakes
don't stress over what's done
don't regret the past

This phrase is correct but less common than the traditional version of the idiom.

"don't cry over spoiled milk"

While this phrase conveys a similar meaning to the original idiom, it is less commonly used compared to 'don't cry over spilled milk.'

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't cry over what happened in kindergarten.
Don't cry over what that rando Cebre says.
Don't cry over an old codger like myself.
Don't cry over Salif and Samba fighting.
You know, most people I know don't cry over nothing.
You know what they say: Don't cry over spilt fruit.
Don't cry over a dame that doesn't even know you're alive.
Don't cry, don't cry.
Please don't cry, Nurse Jackson.
Don't cry, I hate it when girls cry.
Don't cry no matter what happens in there.
Anna, don't cry, please.
Annie, don't cry, you were right.
Tom, don't cry for me.
I don't cry anymore, Daryl.
But don't cry for Grandma Esther.
No, I don't cry into my pillow.
Don't cry, we're at work.
Selena, please don't cry.
You know... that real men don't cry.

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don't cry over spilled milk vs don't cry over spoiled milk