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Water over the Dam

What Does "Water over the Dam" Mean?

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"Water over the dam" is an English idiom. It means "something that has already happened and cannot be changed, often referring to past mistakes or issues."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "water over the dam" used in a sentence:
  • I know I made a mistake, but it's water over the dam now.
  • We can't change the past, so let's not worry about the water over the dam.
  • He holds grudges, never letting go of water over the dam.
meaning for water over the dam

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Water over the Dam" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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