Sometimes, people use special phrases to talk about things that happened before. These are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say. They have a meaning that people understand from how they’re used. In this article, we’ll look at idioms about the past ways to talk about things that, already happened, but in a fun or interesting way.
You might hear someone say “a blast from the past” or “water under the bridge.” These phrases can help us understand how people feel about old memories or past events. Learning idioms like these can help you follow conversations, books, or movies more easily. It can also help you share your own thoughts in clearer ways.
Idioms about The Past
1. A thing of the past
Meaning: Something that no longer happens.
Sample Sentences: That kind of phone is a thing of the past. / Chalkboards are a thing of the past at our school.
Other Way to Say: Not used anymore / No longer around
2. Dwell on the past
Meaning: Keep thinking about old times, often in a sad way.
Sample Sentences: She always dwells on the past when she talks about her dog. / Don’t dwell on the past look ahead!
Other Way to Say: Think too much about before / Stuck in old memories
3. Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: Forget old fights or problems.
Sample Sentences: Let’s let bygones be bygones and be friends again. / They let bygones be bygones after the argument.
Other Way to Say: Move on / Forget the past
4. Living in the past
Meaning: Always thinking about how things used to be.
Sample Sentences: My uncle is living in the past with his old music. / Stop living in the past and enjoy today.
Other Way to Say: Stuck in old times / Not moving forward
5. Turn back the clock
Meaning: Go back to earlier times.
Sample Sentences: I wish we could turn back the clock to last summer. / That photo turned back the clock.
Other Way to Say: Go back in time / Remember the old days
6. A blast from the past
Meaning: Something that reminds you of old times.
Sample Sentences: That song is a blast from the past! / Seeing my old backpack was a blast from the past.
Other Way to Say: Memory from long ago / Fun old thing
7. Ancient history
Meaning: Something that happened a long time ago.
Sample Sentences: My mistake is ancient history now. / That’s ancient history no need to talk about it.
Other Way to Say: Really old news / From long ago
8. Once upon a time
Meaning: A way to start a story from long ago.
Sample Sentences: Once upon a time, I had a hamster named Max. / He told a story that started with “once upon a time.”
Other Way to Say: A long time ago / In old times
9. In the good old days
Meaning: A time in the past people remember happily.
Sample Sentences: My grandpa talks about the good old days a lot. / In the good old days, we played outside more.
Other Way to Say: Back then / Long ago
10. Memory lane
Meaning: A way of thinking about old memories.
Sample Sentences: Looking at baby photos took me down memory lane. / The yearbook sent us down memory lane.
Other Way to Say: Old memories / Thinking back
11. Over and done with
Meaning: Something that is finished.
Sample Sentences: That test is over and done with. / The trip is over and done with, but it was fun.
Other Way to Say: Already finished / All done
12. That ship has sailed
Meaning: A chance that’s gone now.
Sample Sentences: I wanted to join, but that ship has sailed. / She waited too long now that ship has sailed.
Other Way to Say: Too late now / Missed your chance
13. Water under the bridge
Meaning: A past problem that no longer matters.
Sample Sentences: We used to fight, but it’s water under the bridge now. / Forget it it’s just water under the bridge.
Other Way to Say: All in the past / Don’t worry about it
14. Stuck in the past
Meaning: Not moving on from old things.
Sample Sentences: She’s stuck in the past and won’t try new things. / You’re stuck in the past with that outfit!
Other Way to Say: Won’t move forward / Still thinking about before
15. Dig up the past
Meaning: Bring up old problems or memories.
Sample Sentences: Don’t dig up the past again. / He dug up the past during the meeting.
Other Way to Say: Talk about old stuff / Bring up old trouble
16. Back in the day
Meaning: A time in the past.
Sample Sentences: Back in the day, we didn’t have cell phones. / He always talks about sports back in the day.
Other Way to Say: Long ago / In earlier times
17. From way back
Meaning: From a long time ago.
Sample Sentences: We’ve been friends from way back. / That photo is from way back.
Other Way to Say: From long ago / Old times
18. Had its day
Meaning: Was popular before, but not anymore.
Sample Sentences: That toy had its day. / That store had its day but closed years ago.
Other Way to Say: Not popular now / Used to be big
19. A walk down memory lane
Meaning: Thinking about nice old memories.
Sample Sentences: Watching old movies was a walk down memory lane. / Her stories took us on a walk down memory lane.
Other Way to Say: Remembering the past / Feeling nostalgic
20. Used to be
Meaning: Something that happened before but not now.
Sample Sentences: He used to be on the team. / This place used to be a playground.
Other Way to Say: Happened before / Was like that
21. The past is the past
Meaning: What’s done can’t be changed.
Sample Sentences: You made a mistake, but the past is the past. / Don’t worry, the past is the past.
Other Way to Say: Let it go / Can’t change before
22. History repeats itself
Meaning: The same thing happens again like before.
Sample Sentences: It feels like history repeats itself. / Be careful history might repeat itself.
Other Way to Say: It’s happening again / Same old story
23. Not what it used to be
Meaning: Changed from how it was before.
Sample Sentences: That store is not what it used to be. / Our team is not what it used to be.
Other Way to Say: Different now / Changed from before
24. Bring back memories
Meaning: Help you remember something.
Sample Sentences: That song brings back memories. / This smell brings back memories of grandma’s house.
Other Way to Say: Reminds me / Makes me think of
25. Stuck in a time warp
Meaning: Seems like nothing has changed.
Sample Sentences: His room is stuck in a time warp from the ’90s. / That store is stuck in a time warp!
Other Way to Say: Feels old / Frozen in time
26. Rehash the past
Meaning: Talk about old things again.
Sample Sentences: Let’s not rehash the past. / They keep rehashing the past during meetings.
Other Way to Say: Bring it up again / Talk about it too much
27. A shadow of the past
Meaning: A memory that still affects now.
Sample Sentences: The building is a shadow of the past. / Her sadness is a shadow of the past.
Other Way to Say: Leftover memory / Still here from before
28. Look back on
Meaning: Think about something that happened before.
Sample Sentences: I look back on my childhood with joy. / She looked back on her trip to Disney.
Other Way to Say: Remember / Think about before
29. Echoes of the past
Meaning: Sounds or signs that remind you of before.
Sample Sentences: The music held echoes of the past. / That house had echoes of the past inside.
Other Way to Say: Reminders / Sounds from before
30. Dig into the past
Meaning: Try to learn about something old.
Sample Sentences: He dug into the past to find his family history. / I’m digging into the past for my school project.
Other Way to Say: Research old things / Find past facts
31. Locked in the past
Meaning: Not able to move on from old times.
Sample Sentences: They’re locked in the past with those ideas. / She’s locked in the past and won’t try new things.
Other Way to Say: Can’t move on / Still stuck
32. From another time
Meaning: Something that seems very old.
Sample Sentences: That phone is from another time. / Her rules feel like they’re from another time.
Other Way to Say: Really old / Outdated
33. A throwback
Meaning: Something from the past shown again.
Sample Sentences: That outfit is a throwback to the 80s. / Friday was throwback day at school.
Other Way to Say: Old-style / From before
34. Yesteryear
Meaning: A time long ago.
Sample Sentences: The movie takes us back to yesteryear. / Yesteryear had slower days and quiet nights.
Other Way to Say: The old days / Long ago
35. In days gone by
Meaning: In the past.
Sample Sentences: In days gone by, kids played outside more. / In days gone by, letters were written by hand.
Other Way to Say: Before now / In earlier times
36. A trip down memory lane
Meaning: Thinking about old memories, usually happy ones.
Sample Sentences: Watching old cartoons is a trip down memory lane. / Visiting my old school was a trip down memory lane.
Other Way to Say: Remembering the good times / Looking back
37. Living history
Meaning: Someone or something that shows what life was like before.
Sample Sentences: Grandpa’s stories are living history. / That museum is full of living history.
Other Way to Say: Real stories from the past / History that’s still here
38. Outdated
Meaning: No longer useful or popular.
Sample Sentences: That flip phone is outdated. / Her ideas are a bit outdated.
Other Way to Say: Old / Out of style
39. Remnants of the past
Meaning: Small things left from long ago.
Sample Sentences: The attic is full of remnants of the past. / Those toys are remnants of the past.
Other Way to Say: Leftover things / Reminders of old times
40. Relive the past
Meaning: Feel or act like old times again.
Sample Sentences: She wants to relive the past by going to her old school. / We relived the past at our reunion.
Other Way to Say: Feel the old days again / Go back in time
41. Stuck in yesterday
Meaning: Not moving forward, still thinking about the past.
Sample Sentences: He’s stuck in yesterday with those shoes! / Don’t be stuck in yesterday try something new.
Other Way to Say: Won’t change / Still thinking old
42. In the rearview mirror
Meaning: Behind you, like something already past.
Sample Sentences: That mistake is in the rearview mirror. / Summer is in the rearview mirror now.
Other Way to Say: Left behind / Already done
43. From the archives
Meaning: From old files or saved places.
Sample Sentences: That picture is from the archives. / We found it in the school archives.
Other Way to Say: From storage / Saved from long ago
44. Yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something people no longer care about.
Sample Sentences: That trend is yesterday’s news. / He used to be famous, but now he’s yesterday’s news.
Other Way to Say: Old news / Nobody talks about it now
45. From the past
Meaning: Something or someone from a long time ago.
Sample Sentences: This toy is from the past. / A friend from the past called me today.
Other Way to Say: Long ago / From before
46. Stuck in old habits
Meaning: Still doing things the old way.
Sample Sentences: She’s stuck in old habits. / He’s stuck in old habits and won’t change.
Other Way to Say: Won’t try new ways / Always the same
47. Dig up old dirt
Meaning: Talk about past mistakes or secrets.
Sample Sentences: They dug up old dirt during the fight. / Don’t dig up old dirt it’s over.
Other Way to Say: Bring up bad past stuff / Talk about old trouble
48. A face from the past
Meaning: Seeing someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
Sample Sentences: He’s a face from the past I haven’t seen him since 3rd grade! / That teacher is a face from the past.
Other Way to Say: Old friend / Person from long ago
49. Back in time
Meaning: Going to or thinking about the past.
Sample Sentences: The movie took us back in time. / That photo took me back in time.
Other Way to Say: Way back / In the past
50. A blast to the past
Meaning: A strong reminder of old times.
Sample Sentences: That dance song was a blast to the past. / Playing with marbles was a blast to the past.
Other Way to Say: Big memory / Strong old feeling
51. In the old days
Meaning: In the past, many years ago.
Sample Sentences: In the old days, we walked to school. / People wrote letters in the old days.
Other Way to Say: Long time ago / Before now
52. Look like it’s from the past
Meaning: Looks old or old-fashioned.
Sample Sentences: That outfit looks like it’s from the past. / The TV looks like it’s from the past.
Other Way to Say: Old-style / Not modern
53. Left behind
Meaning: Something from the past that’s no longer used or wanted.
Sample Sentences: Toys from my childhood were left behind. / His old bike was left behind.
Other Way to Say: No longer used / Forgotten
54. Bring up old wounds
Meaning: Talk about something from the past that still hurts.
Sample Sentences: Talking about the fight brought up old wounds. / Let’s not bring up old wounds.
Other Way to Say: Bring back pain / Talk about hurt again
55. From days long gone
Meaning: From a time long ago.
Sample Sentences: This book is from days long gone. / That story is from days long gone.
Other Way to Say: From the old days / A long time ago
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms about The Past
1. What does “a blast from the past” mean?
A) A loud sound in the present
B) Something fun and brand new
C) Something that reminds you of old times
2. If someone says “let bygones be bygones,” what do they mean?
A) Fix something old
B) Forget past problems
C) Remember old memories
3. What does “that ship has sailed” mean?
A) The ship is on time
B) The chance is gone
C) The boat is coming soon
4. If something is “water under the bridge,” what is true about it?
A) It still needs to be fixed
B) It already happened and doesn’t matter now
C) It’s something new
5. What does “living in the past” mean?
A) Thinking too much about what already happened
B) Living in a new place
C) Loving the future
6. If someone says, “turn back the clock,” what are they wishing?
A) To fix their watch
B) To go back in time
C) To get more sleep
7. What does “a walk down memory lane” mean?
A) Walking through the school hall
B) Thinking about happy old times
C) Getting exercise
8. What does “the past is the past” mean?
A) The past can be changed
B) The past doesn’t matter anymore
C) The past is still going
9. If something is “from another time,” what does it most likely mean?
A) It’s very new
B) It’s old or from long ago
C) It’s from the future
10. What does it mean to “dig up old dirt”?
A) Look for worms
B) Clean your backyard
C) Talk about someone’s old mistakes
11. What does “in the rearview mirror” mean?
A) It’s behind you now
B) Something to come
C) Something to fix
12. If someone says, “relishing a trip down memory lane,” what are they doing?
A) Cleaning a street
B) Enjoying happy memories
C) Building a new path
Answer Key
- C) Something that reminds you of old times
- B) Forget past problems
- B) The chance is gone
- B) It already happened and doesn’t matter now
- A) Thinking too much about what already happened
- B) To go back in time
- B) Thinking about happy old times
- B) The past doesn’t matter anymore
- B) It’s old or from long ago
- C) Talk about someone’s old mistakes
- A) It’s behind you now
- B) Enjoying happy memories
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idioms About the Past Master!
You know these idioms really well. - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding idioms about the past.
Great job just a little more practice! - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Keep learning you’re close! - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore idioms about the past together.
No worries keep practicing, and it’ll click soon.
Conclusion
Idioms about the past help us talk about memories, old habits, and things that happened long ago. They can make stories more fun and help others understand how we feel about earlier times.
By learning these idioms, you can share thoughts more clearly and understand people better when they talk about the past. Keep listening, reading, and using these phrases you’ll get better with time.
