When we talk about the past, sometimes it can be tricky to express everything in just one sentence. This is where idioms come in handy. Idioms are expressions where the words don’t mean exactly what they say, but they carry a deeper meaning. They help make the language more colorful and interesting. For example, when we say “water under the bridge,” we’re not talking about actual water, but about something that has already happened and should no longer be worried about.
In this article, we will explore various idioms related to the past. These expressions are commonly used in everyday conversations and can make your language sound more lively. Whether you’re telling a story or explaining something that happened, these idioms will help you add more flavor to your words. Let’s take a look at how we can use idioms to talk about past events in a fun and creative way.
Idioms about The Past
1. A thing of the past
Meaning: Something that is no longer important or is over.
Example: Playing outside all day is a thing of the past because kids now play video games. / My old toys are a thing of the past since I’ve grown up.
Put Differently: It’s something that no longer happens. / It’s no longer a part of my life.
2. In the past
Meaning: Refers to something that happened before now.
Example: We went to the beach in the past. / My grandma used to live in the city, but that was in the past.
Put Differently: It happened a long time ago. / It’s something that happened earlier.
3. Once upon a time
Meaning: Used to start a story, usually from the past.
Example: Once upon a time, there was a princess in a big castle. / Once upon a time, a little boy lived in the woods.
Put Differently: A long time ago, there was a story. / A long time ago, something happened.
4. Long ago
Meaning: Something that happened a long time before now.
Example: Long ago, people used horses to travel. / Long ago, there were no phones like we have today.
Put Differently: A very long time ago, something happened. / It happened a long time ago.
5. A thing of yesterday
Meaning: Something from the past that is no longer relevant.
Example: My old shoes are a thing of yesterday, and I have new ones now. / That song is a thing of yesterday because it’s no longer popular.
Put Differently: It’s from a time that is no longer important. / It happened a while ago and doesn’t matter now.
6. Back in the day
Meaning: Referring to a time in the past.
Example: Back in the day, kids used to ride bikes everywhere. / Back in the day, people didn’t have smartphones.
Put Differently: A long time ago, people did things differently. / People didn’t have what we have now back then.
7. A blast from the past
Meaning: Something or someone from the past that brings back memories.
Example: Running into my old friend was a blast from the past. / Seeing my old school was a blast from the past.
Put Differently: It reminded me of something from the past. / It made me think of the good old days.
8. In days gone by
Meaning: Refers to a time long ago.
Example: In days gone by, children didn’t have video games to play with. / In days gone by, people wrote letters instead of sending texts.
Put Differently: A long time ago, people did things differently. / People in the past didn’t have the things we have now.
9. Time flies
Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly.
Example: Wow, it’s already the end of the year! Time flies! / I can’t believe how fast the school year went time flies.
Put Differently: Time passes so quickly. / It feels like time is running fast.
10. Yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something that is no longer important or interesting.
Example: That old movie is yesterday’s news because we have new ones now. / Her story is yesterday’s news, and everyone has forgotten it.
Put Differently: No one cares about it anymore. / It’s something that happened and is not important now.
11. Over and done with
Meaning: Something that has already been finished.
Example: The test is over and done with, so now we can relax. / The game was over and done with after the last goal.
Put Differently: It’s finished now. / It’s already completed and not important anymore.
12. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example: I only see my cousin once in a blue moon because we live far apart. / We go to the beach once in a blue moon.
Put Differently: It happens very rarely. / It’s something that doesn’t happen often.
13. In the old days
Meaning: Referring to a time long ago.
Example: In the old days, people used to get around by walking or riding horses. / In the old days, there were no phones to call people.
Put Differently: A long time ago, things were different. / People didn’t have all the things we have now back then.
14. Once and for all
Meaning: To do something completely and permanently.
Example: We need to clean the house once and for all so we don’t have to do it again. / She decided once and for all to stop playing video games after school.
Put Differently: Do something and finish it completely. / Get it done now and for good.
15. A walk down memory lane
Meaning: Thinking about or talking about happy memories from the past.
Example: Looking at old photos with my family was like a walk down memory lane. / Watching the old movie was a walk down memory lane.
Put Differently: It was a time to remember good things from the past. / We thought about happy times from before.
16. Gone by the wayside
Meaning: Something that has been forgotten or abandoned.
Example: The old traditions have gone by the wayside since we have new ones now. / Many old games have gone by the wayside, and kids play new ones.
Put Differently: It’s something that’s been forgotten. / It’s something that is no longer in use.
17. A thing of the past
Meaning: Something that no longer exists or is not needed anymore.
Example: Writing letters is a thing of the past because we can send emails. / The old toys I used to play with are a thing of the past.
Put Differently: It’s something that’s gone now. / It’s something that doesn’t happen anymore.
18. In the rearview mirror
Meaning: Something that is now behind you or no longer important.
Example: The old school year is in the rearview mirror now, and we’re starting fresh. / That small problem is in the rearview mirror now.
Put Differently: It’s behind us now. / It’s no longer important.
19. That ship has sailed
Meaning: Something that is no longer possible or available.
Example: I missed the chance to join the team that ship has sailed. / We should’ve gone to the concert, but now that ship has sailed.
Put Differently: It’s too late now. / The opportunity is gone.
20. Yesterday is history
Meaning: The past is over, and we should move on.
Example: Don’t worry about your mistakes from yesterday; yesterday is history. / Yesterday is history, so focus on today.
Put Differently: Forget about the past and move on. / What happened before doesn’t matter now.
21. Live in the past
Meaning: To think too much about things that happened before.
Example: He always talks about when he was a kid; he seems to live in the past. / You need to stop living in the past and start enjoying today.
Put Differently: He always remembers the old times. / He keeps thinking about what happened long ago.
22. It’s all in the past
Meaning: Something that has happened and should not be worried about anymore.
Example: Don’t worry about the mistake; it’s all in the past now. / That argument is all in the past, so let’s move on.
Put Differently: It’s something that’s already done. / We don’t need to think about it anymore.
23. As time goes by
Meaning: Referring to the way things change or pass as time moves forward.
Example: As time goes by, we start to forget about old problems. / As time goes by, things seem to get better.
Put Differently: As time passes, things change. / As time moves on, we learn more.
24. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Something happening very quickly.
Example: The car zoomed by in the blink of an eye. / The game ended in the blink of an eye.
Put Differently: It happened so fast. / It was over in a second.
25. In the nick of time
Meaning: At the last possible moment.
Example: We got to the bus stop in the nick of time. / She finished her homework in the nick of time before the bell rang.
Put Differently: We were just on time. / We did it right before it was too late.
26. Turn the clock back
Meaning: To go back in time or return to how things were before.
Example: If I could turn the clock back, I would study harder for the test. / I wish I could turn the clock back to when we lived in that house.
Put Differently: I wish I could go back to that time. / If I could, I would change the past.
27. A step back in time
Meaning: To experience or look at something from the past.
Example: Going to that old museum was like a step back in time. / Looking at those pictures was a step back in time.
Put Differently: It was like going to the past. / It felt like living in a different time.
28. Time will tell
Meaning: Only time will show what will happen.
Example: We’ll see if the new plan works; time will tell. / Time will tell if the team will win the championship.
Put Differently: We’ll have to wait and see. / Only the future will show us.
29. Once bitten, twice shy
Meaning: After having a bad experience, you are more careful the next time.
Example: After I fell off my bike, I was once bitten, twice shy about riding too fast. / She’s afraid to try again because of that scary movie; once bitten, twice shy.
Put Differently: After something bad happens, you become more cautious. / After a bad experience, you act more carefully.
30. A thing of old
Meaning: Something that belongs to or is from the past.
Example: The old house is now a thing of old, as it’s being torn down. / Those old toys are just a thing of old now.
Put Differently: It’s from the past. / It’s something that’s no longer in use.
31. Yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something no longer interesting or relevant.
Example: That old trend is just yesterday’s news now. / The book I read last month is yesterday’s news.
Put Differently: It’s no longer important. / It’s something from the past that people don’t care about anymore.
32. Bring up old memories
Meaning: To remember things that happened in the past.
Example: Looking at that old photo brought up old memories of our family vacation. / When I heard that song, it brought up old memories of my childhood.
Put Differently: It made me remember things from before. / I started thinking about the past.
33. Past one’s prime
Meaning: No longer at your best or most effective.
Example: The singer is past her prime, but her concerts are still great. / That old movie is past its prime, but I still enjoy it.
Put Differently: It’s no longer at its best. / It’s not as good as it once was.
34. A walk through history
Meaning: To experience something from the past or to learn about history.
Example: Visiting the old battlefield was like a walk through history. / Reading about the Civil War was like a walk through history.
Put Differently: It’s like going through the past. / It’s like experiencing something that happened before.
35. Time heals all wounds
Meaning: As time passes, hurt feelings or problems get better.
Example: I was sad when my friend moved away, but time heals all wounds. / After the fight, I knew time heals all wounds and we’d be friends again.
Put Differently: As time goes by, you feel better. / Time helps you forget about the hurt.
36. Flash from the past
Meaning: Something or someone from the past that suddenly comes back.
Example: Running into my old teacher was a flash from the past. / Seeing that old toy was a flash from the past.
Put Differently: It was something from the past that surprised me. / It reminded me of a time long ago.
37. Over the hill
Meaning: Reaching an age or time when you are no longer young.
Example: I’m not young anymore; I guess I’m over the hill now. / After turning 40, he feels like he’s over the hill.
Put Differently: I’m not as young as I used to be. / I’ve passed my youthful years.
38. It’s history
Meaning: Something is over and done with.
Example: The game is over; it’s history now. / We had our argument, but it’s history now.
Put Differently: It’s all finished. / It’s already done and no longer important.
39. The past is behind us
Meaning: The past is over and no longer matters.
Example: We had a tough time last year, but the past is behind us now. / The past is behind us, and it’s time to move forward.
Put Differently: The past is over, and we’re moving on. / What happened before doesn’t matter anymore.
40. The good old days
Meaning: Referring to a time in the past that was better or simpler.
Example: I miss the good old days when we played outside all day. / The good old days were when we didn’t have so many distractions.
Put Differently: The past was a simpler time. / Things were better before.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity:Idioms about the Past
Below are 10 simple sentences that talk about events or situations from the past. Your job is to rewrite each sentence using one of the idioms about the past that you’ve learned. Make sure the new sentence still makes sense and sounds natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- We used to play outside every day after school.
- I didn’t see my best friend for a long time.
- I wish I could go back to when we were all together.
- We learned a lot of history in school today.
- That was a good day, and I’ll always remember it.
- I have already finished my homework, so now I can relax.
- I’ve already seen that movie, so I’m not interested anymore.
- My grandmother always talks about her childhood.
- I can’t stop thinking about our last vacation.
- The school year is already over, and now we can enjoy summer.
Answer Key
- We used to play outside every day after school.Back in the day, we used to play outside every day after school.
- I didn’t see my best friend for a long time.I haven’t seen my best friend in a long time; it’s a thing of the past.
- I wish I could go back to when we were all together.I wish I could turn the clock back to when we were all together.
- We learned a lot of history in school today.Today was like a walk through history in our school lesson.
- That was a good day, and I’ll always remember it.That was a good day, and it’s a blast from the past I’ll always remember.
- I have already finished my homework, so now I can relax.The homework is over and done with, so now I can relax.
- I’ve already seen that movie, so I’m not interested anymore.That movie is yesterday’s news, so I’m not interested anymore.
- My grandmother always talks about her childhood.My grandmother always brings up old memories about her childhood.
- I can’t stop thinking about our last vacation.I can’t stop thinking about our last vacation; it’s on my brain.
- The school year is already over, and now we can enjoy summer.The school year is in the rearview mirror, and now we can enjoy summer.
Conclusion
Idioms about the past help us talk about what has already happened in a fun and interesting way. By using these idioms, we can describe events and memories without just saying the same old things. It makes our language more colorful and helps others understand the feelings we have about past events. Whether you’re reminiscing about fun times or learning about history, idioms give us a special way to connect with others.
Remember, the next time you talk about something that happened before, try using one of these idioms. It will make your words sound more exciting and show that you understand how to express yourself in a creative way!
