Sometimes, we hear people say funny phrases like “water under the bridge” or “a blast from the past.” These are called idioms. Idioms are special sayings. They do not always mean what the words sound like. People use them to talk about memories, old times, or things that happened before now.
In this article, we will learn some idioms about the past. These sayings help people talk about things that have already happened. Some idioms are used when someone remembers a good time. Others are used when people want to forget something. Let’s take a look at how these little phrases help us speak about the past in a fun and simple way.
Idioms about The Past
1. Water under the bridge
Meaning: Something that happened a long time ago and is not important now.
To Provide an Example: Mia and Ava argued last year, but now it’s water under the bridge. / I lost my toy last summer, but it’s okay now. That’s water under the bridge. / We don’t talk about that old mistake. It’s water under the bridge.
Alternative Meaning: It’s in the past, so let’s forget it. / Don’t worry about what already happened. / That problem is over now.
2. A blast from the past
Meaning: Something that reminds you of an old time or memory.
To Provide an Example: Hearing that song was a blast from the past. / I saw my old lunchbox from 1st grade. It was a blast from the past. / Grandma showed me a photo from when she was little. That was a blast from the past.
Alternative Meaning: A fun memory from long ago. / Something old that brings back memories. / A surprise from earlier times.
3. Back in the day
Meaning: A time long ago, often when someone remembers things being different.
To Provide an Example: Back in the day, my dad had a flip phone. / We played outside more back in the day. / My teacher said back in the day, kids used chalkboards.
Alternative Meaning: A long time ago. / In the old times. / How things used to be.
4. Once upon a time
Meaning: A way to start telling about something that happened in the past.
To Provide an Example: Once upon a time, I got lost at the zoo. / Once upon a time, we had a snow day and made a big fort. / Once upon a time, I found a penny and thought it was lucky.
Alternative Meaning: A long time ago, something happened. / Long ago, there was a story. / A way to begin talking about the past.
5. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: To forget about past fights or problems and be friends again.
To Provide an Example: Liam and Jake had a fight, but they let bygones be bygones. / I said sorry to my sister, and we let bygones be bygones. / We both made mistakes, but it’s better to let bygones be bygones.
Alternative Meaning: Forgive and forget. / Don’t stay mad about old stuff. / Move on from the past.
6. Ancient history
Meaning: Something so old that it doesn’t matter anymore.
To Provide an Example: My broken toy from kindergarten is ancient history. / That test we failed last year is ancient history now. / We don’t even talk about it it’s ancient history.
Alternative Meaning: So long ago it’s forgotten. / Doesn’t matter anymore. / It happened way back.
7. In the good old days
Meaning: A time in the past people remember happily.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa talks about the good old days when he played baseball outside. / In the good old days, we had ice cream after dinner. / Mom said in the good old days, gas was cheap.
Alternative Meaning: Fun times from long ago. / When things felt better before. / Happy old times.
8. Those were the days
Meaning: Remembering a nice time from the past.
To Provide an Example: We played tag every day. Those were the days. / I miss summer camp. Those were the days. / When we went to the beach every weekend those were the days.
Alternative Meaning: That was a good time. / I miss those fun days. / Long ago, we had fun.
9. Live in the past
Meaning: Thinking too much about old times and not the present.
To Provide an Example: He always talks about his old school. He lives in the past. / I try to forget, but she lives in the past. / Don’t live in the past. Let’s enjoy now.
Alternative Meaning: Always thinking about old stuff. / Not moving on. / Forgetting to enjoy now.
10. Back to square one
Meaning: Starting over from the beginning.
To Provide an Example: My puzzle broke. I’m back to square one. / We lost the map, so we’re back to square one. / If this plan doesn’t work, we’ll go back to square one.
Alternative Meaning: Start again. / Begin from the start. / Do it all over.
11. A thing of the past
Meaning: Something that doesn’t happen or exist anymore.
To Provide an Example: Tape recorders are a thing of the past. / Landline phones are a thing of the past now. / Typewriters are a thing of the past.
Alternative Meaning: Not used anymore. / Something old. / Gone from today.
12. Out of date
Meaning: Not new or useful anymore.
To Provide an Example: That phone is out of date. / These shoes are out of date now. / My clothes from last year are out of date.
Alternative Meaning: Too old to use. / No longer cool. / Needs to be changed.
13. Behind the times
Meaning: Not knowing or using new things.
To Provide an Example: Grandma doesn’t text. She’s behind the times. / No internet? That’s behind the times. / He still listens to CDs. He’s behind the times.
Alternative Meaning: Old-fashioned. / Not modern. / Not keeping up.
14. Over the hill
Meaning: Used to describe someone who’s getting old.
To Provide an Example: Dad jokes that he’s over the hill at 40. / She got a cane for fun because she’s over the hill. / My uncle says he’s over the hill, but he still runs fast.
Alternative Meaning: Getting older. / Past your young days. / Not as young as before.
15. Yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something or someone people no longer talk about.
To Provide an Example: That show is yesterday’s news. / He used to be popular, but now he’s yesterday’s news. / That toy was cool, but it’s yesterday’s news now.
Alternative Meaning: Not exciting anymore. / Nobody cares now. / It’s old news.
16. Old hat
Meaning: Something boring or not new anymore.
To Provide an Example: This game is old hat now. / That trick is old hat we’ve seen it before. / She wears the same thing every day. It’s old hat.
Alternative Meaning: Not fresh or exciting. / Been done before. / Everyone knows it.
17. Dwell on the past
Meaning: Keep thinking about old problems.
To Provide an Example: Don’t dwell on the past. / He dwells on the past and stays sad. / I told her not to dwell on the past.
Alternative Meaning: Keep going over old stuff. / Don’t move forward. / Think too much about before.
18. Turn back time
Meaning: Wish things could go back to how they were.
To Provide an Example: I wish I could turn back time to summer. / If I could turn back time, I’d visit Grandpa again. / We all wanted to turn back time to the fun weekend.
Alternative Meaning: Go back to the past. / Have things like before. / Undo what happened.
19. Looking back
Meaning: Thinking about something that happened before.
To Provide an Example: Looking back, I had a great school year. / Looking back, that trip was the best. / Looking back, I should’ve said thank you.
Alternative Meaning: Remembering. / Thinking about before. / Seeing how things were.
20. The way we were
Meaning: How things used to be.
To Provide an Example: The park isn’t like the way we were. / I miss the way we were in 1st grade. / We used to play more. That was the way we were.
Alternative Meaning: How we used to act. / The way it used to feel. / Life before now.
21. From days gone by
Meaning: Something from a long time ago.
To Provide an Example: That book is from days gone by. / We wore costumes from days gone by. / It felt like a visit from days gone by.
Alternative Meaning: Very old. / From the past. / Long ago times.
22. Back when
Meaning: A simple way to talk about the past.
To Provide an Example: Back when we played with toys every day. / Back when I went to the old school. / Back when we had no homework.
Alternative Meaning: A time before now. / In the past. / Some time ago.
23. Faded memory
Meaning: Something remembered just a little.
To Provide an Example: My trip to Disney is a faded memory now. / That old friend is just a faded memory. / I still have a faded memory of kindergarten.
Alternative Meaning: Not clear in your mind. / Hard to remember. / Just a little memory.
24. Bring back memories
Meaning: Something makes you remember the past.
To Provide an Example: That song brings back memories of summer. / This picture brings back memories. / Going to the lake brings back memories of last year.
Alternative Meaning: Helps you remember. / Makes old thoughts come back. / Reminds you of before.
25. Looking in the rearview mirror
Meaning: Thinking about what already happened.
To Provide an Example: Looking in the rearview mirror, I see how far I’ve come. / She looks in the rearview mirror too much. / We need to stop looking in the rearview mirror.
Alternative Meaning: Focused on the past. / Thinking about old times. / Not looking ahead.
26. Put it behind you
Meaning: To stop thinking about something bad that happened.
To Provide an Example: I lost the game, but I’ll put it behind me. / She said sorry, so I put it behind me. / Let’s put it behind us and be friends again.
Alternative Meaning: Forget and move on. / Stop being upset. / Leave it in the past.
27. In the past
Meaning: Something that already happened.
To Provide an Example: My old school is in the past. / That mistake is in the past. / The trip is over it’s in the past now.
Alternative Meaning: It happened already. / Not now. / Before today.
28. Was then, not now
Meaning: Something that used to be true but isn’t anymore.
To Provide an Example: I liked that game, but that was then, not now. / I used to play soccer, but that was then, not now. / We were in the same class was then, not now.
Alternative Meaning: Things have changed. / That’s how it used to be. / Not like that now.
29. It’s history
Meaning: It’s over and done.
To Provide an Example: That toy broke. It’s history. / We had a fight, but it’s history. / My old phone? It’s history.
Alternative Meaning: It’s gone. / It’s finished. / It doesn’t matter now.
30. Old school
Meaning: Something done the way people used to do it.
To Provide an Example: My uncle plays old school video games. / That song is old school. / She dances in an old school way.
Alternative Meaning: Like people used to do. / From the past. / Not modern.
31. From another time
Meaning: Something that seems very old or different.
To Provide an Example: That movie looks like it’s from another time. / Her dress was from another time. / These photos are from another time.
Alternative Meaning: Very old. / Not from now. / From long ago.
32. A memory lane trip
Meaning: Thinking about happy times from the past.
To Provide an Example: Looking at baby pictures was a trip down memory lane. / That show took me on a memory lane trip. / We had a memory lane trip when we talked about old times.
Alternative Meaning: Remembering fun times. / Thinking about the past. / Feeling happy about old memories.
33. Reminds me of
Meaning: Something that makes you think of the past.
To Provide an Example: That smell reminds me of Grandma’s house. / This song reminds me of my birthday. / Your story reminds me of when I was little.
Alternative Meaning: Makes me think of before. / Helps me remember. / Sounds like something I know.
34. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by quickly.
To Provide an Example: I was in first grade now I’m in second! Time flies. / Time flies when we’re having fun. / That week went so fast. Time flies.
Alternative Meaning: Time moves fast. / The day is gone quickly. / It feels like no time at all.
35. Long time ago
Meaning: Something that happened far in the past.
To Provide an Example: I went to the zoo a long time ago. / We lived in Texas a long time ago. / That toy was mine a long time ago.
Alternative Meaning: Many years ago. / Way back. / Not recent.
36. Over and done with
Meaning: Totally finished.
To Provide an Example: That test is over and done with. / The storm is over and done with now. / The race is over and done with.
Alternative Meaning: It’s finished. / All done. / Not happening anymore.
37. The good old times
Meaning: Happy days from before.
To Provide an Example: Summer break was the good old times. / I miss the good old times at my old school. / The good old times were full of fun.
Alternative Meaning: Happy past days. / Times we enjoyed. / Good memories.
38. Flashback
Meaning: A quick memory from the past.
To Provide an Example: I had a flashback to my birthday party. / That smell gave me a flashback. / A flashback of my trip came to mind.
Alternative Meaning: A quick memory. / Remembering something fast. / A thought from before.
39. Leave it in the past
Meaning: To stop thinking or talking about it.
To Provide an Example: We had a fight, but let’s leave it in the past. / He keeps bringing it up just leave it in the past. / I don’t want to talk about it. Leave it in the past.
Alternative Meaning: Forget about it. / Don’t go back. / Move forward.
40. Out of fashion
Meaning: Not popular or cool anymore.
To Provide an Example: That shirt is out of fashion. / Fidget spinners are out of fashion now. / Bell-bottom pants are out of fashion.
Alternative Meaning: Not trendy. / Nobody wears or uses it now. / It used to be cool.
41. Back in my day
Meaning: A way older people talk about the past.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa says, “Back in my day, candy was a penny!” / Dad says, “Back in my day, we had no internet.” / “Back in my day, we walked to school,” said Mom.
Alternative Meaning: A long time ago for me. / How it used to be. / Before now.
42. Used to be
Meaning: Something that happened often before, but not now.
To Provide an Example: That used to be my favorite toy. / I used to be scared of the dark. / We used to go camping every summer.
Alternative Meaning: Happened before. / Was true long ago. / Not anymore.
43. Throwback
Meaning: Something from the past that comes back.
To Provide an Example: This song is a throwback to the ’90s. / That movie is a throwback. / Wearing old shoes is a fun throwback.
Alternative Meaning: A memory returned. / Something old we enjoy again. / Brings back old times.
44. Years ago
Meaning: Many years in the past.
To Provide an Example: We lived in Florida years ago. / I met my friend years ago. / That toy came out years ago.
Alternative Meaning: Long ago. / Not recent. / Before now.
45. Back in the old days
Meaning: A time long ago, remembered fondly.
To Provide an Example: Back in the old days, we had more free time. / Back in the old days, kids played outside more. / I liked school better back in the old days.
Alternative Meaning: Long ago days. / The way it was before. / Old times people remember.
46. The past is the past
Meaning: What happened before can’t be changed.
To Provide an Example: I made a mistake, but the past is the past. / She’s sad, but the past is the past. / Don’t worry it’s over. The past is the past.
Alternative Meaning: Let it go. / It’s behind us. / No need to bring it back.
47. Before my time
Meaning: Something that happened before someone was born or could remember.
To Provide an Example: That song was before my time. / The big snowstorm was before my time. / She says the rule was made before her time.
Alternative Meaning: It happened earlier. / I wasn’t there. / I don’t remember.
48. In days of old
Meaning: A very long time ago.
To Provide an Example: In days of old, people used horses. / In days of old, there were no phones. / People used candles in days of old.
Alternative Meaning: Way back in time. / Very old days. / Long ago.
49. Old story
Meaning: Something heard many times or very familiar.
To Provide an Example: That excuse is an old story. / I’ve heard this old story before. / She told her old story again.
Alternative Meaning: Nothing new. / Something told before. / We’ve heard it already.
50. Time has passed
Meaning: A lot of time has gone by.
To Provide an Example: I’ve grown a lot time has passed. / Time has passed since that summer. / He changed because time has passed.
Alternative Meaning: It’s been a while. / Things are different now. / Many days have gone by.
Trials for Success: Idioms about The Past
- I lost my library book last month, but it’s __________________ now.
- When I saw my old backpack, it felt like a __________________.
- We used to have snack time after recess. __________________!
- That old phone my dad has is a __________________.
- I don’t want to talk about our fight. Let’s __________________.
- My grandma still uses a flip phone. She’s kind of __________________.
- My cousin talks about middle school all the time. He likes to __________________.
- That toy was fun last year, but now it’s __________________.
- Mom says cartoons were better __________________.
- I saw pictures from preschool, and it was a real __________________.
- When I hear that song, it __________________ of our trip to the beach.
- I wore my sister’s old shoes, and my teacher said they were so __________________.
- I lost the game, but I’m trying to __________________.
- My brother said he had a flip phone. That was __________________, not now.
- The big snowstorm in 1996 was __________________ I wasn’t even born yet!
Answer Key
- water under the bridge
- blast from the past
- Those were the days
- thing of the past
- let bygones be bygones
- behind the times
- live in the past
- yesterday’s news
- back in the day
- trip down memory lane
- brings back memories
- old school
- put it behind me
- was then, not now
- before my time
Conclusion
Idioms help us talk about things in fun and simple ways. When we use idioms about the past, we can share memories, say sorry, or let go of something that happened.
You may hear grown-ups use these phrases often. Now you know what they mean, and you can try them too. They help us say a lot with just a few words. That’s a smart way to talk.
