“What’s done is done” is the proverb that tells us to accept the past and move on. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its acceptance.
What Does “What’s Done Is Done” Mean?
The proverb means that something which has already happened cannot be undone or changed, so there is no use worrying about it or wishing it otherwise — better to accept it and move forward. It is most often said to draw a line under a mistake or a misfortune: the deed is finished, the past is fixed, and the only sensible response is to stop fretting over what cannot be reversed and to deal with things as they now are.
Origin of the Proverb
The phrase is most famously associated with William Shakespeare. In Macbeth (around 1606), Lady Macbeth says to her troubled husband, “Things without all remedy should be without regard: what’s done is done.” The thought itself is older still — a medieval proverb already taught that “what is done cannot be undone” — but Shakespeare gave it the memorable, compact form we use today.
Examples in a Sentence
- “I regret selling the house, but what’s done is done.”
- “Stop blaming yourself — what’s done is done.”
- “The mistake is made; what’s done is done, so let’s fix what we can.”
Similar Proverbs
- It’s no use crying over spilt milk — don’t grieve over what cannot be undone.
- What’s done cannot be undone — the older, fuller form of the saying.
- Let bygones be bygones — leave the past in the past.
- There’s no point chasing after the wind — accept what cannot be recovered.
For more sayings about acceptance and moving on, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “what’s done is done” mean?
It means that something already done cannot be undone, so there is no use worrying about it — better to accept it and move forward.
Where does the proverb come from?
It is famously spoken by Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Macbeth (c. 1606), though the older proverb “what is done cannot be undone” came before it.
What is a similar proverb?
“It’s no use crying over spilt milk” and “let bygones be bygones” share the same acceptance that the past cannot be changed.
