What does “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” mean?

"The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" means it's pointless to dwell on past events that cannot be changed or undone.

What context can I use the in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

Example

Stop dwelling on what happened yesterday. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's time to focus on the present and move forward.

Example

There's no use in regretting the past. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. Let's learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future.

Example

Instead of constantly thinking about what could have been, remember that the mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's important to accept the past and focus on the opportunities ahead

Is “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” effectively in context?

You can use "The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" to remind someone that it's pointless to dwell on past events that cannot be changed or undone. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present and moving forward. For instance, if a friend is constantly regretting a decision they made in the past, you might say, 'Stop dwelling on what happened yesterday. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's time to focus on the present and move forward.'

1Personal Growth
Stop dwelling on what happened yesterday. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's time to focus on the present and move forward.
Stop dwelling on what happened yesterday. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's time to focus on the present and move forward.
2Regret
There's no use in regretting the past. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. Let's learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future.
There's no use in regretting the past. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. Let's learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future.
3Acceptance
Instead of constantly thinking about what could have been, remember that the mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's important to accept the past and focus on the opportunities ahead.
Instead of constantly thinking about what could have been, remember that the mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's important to accept the past and focus on the opportunities ahead.

Similar phrases to “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.”:

Let bygones be bygones

To forget about past conflicts or grievances and move on

Example

It's time to let bygones be bygones and start fresh.

Don't cry over spilled milk

To not worry or be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed

Example

Yes, we made a mistake, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. Let's focus on finding a solution.

Turn the page

To move on from a difficult or unpleasant situation

Example

It's time to turn the page and leave the past behind us.

Close the chapter

To put an end to a particular phase or period of one's life

Example

It's time to close the chapter on that relationship and start anew.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" is unknown.

Is “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more often found in written texts or formal speeches.

What tone does “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” have?

"The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" conveys a tone of reflection and acceptance. It encourages individuals to let go of the past and focus on the present.

Can “The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" is more formal in nature. It is suitable for use in formal settings such as presentations, speeches, or written essays. In informal conversations, simpler expressions like 'Let bygones be bygones' or 'Don't cry over spilled milk' may be more common.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase "The mill cannot grind with the water that is past" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Stop dwelling on what happened yesterday. The mill cannot grind with the water that is past. It's time to focus on the present and move forward.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'The mill cannot grind with the water that is past' to imply the futility of dwelling on the past.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

let go of the past
move on
focus on the present
accept what cannot be changed
embrace the future

Antonyms

dwell on the past
live in the past
hold onto regrets
refuse to move on
reject change