Something from the past that is no longer important or worth worrying about; bygone events that should be forgotten and forgiven.
This phrase uses the metaphor of water flowing under a bridge - once it passes, it's gone forever and cannot return. The expression appeared in various forms throughout the 19th century, with the current version becoming standard by the early 20th century. It emphasizes the irreversible nature of time's passage.
The bridge metaphor is particularly powerful because bridges represent connection and crossing over, while the flowing water represents time's irreversible passage. Many cultures have similar water-based metaphors for letting go of the past, suggesting this concept resonates universally with human experience of time and forgiveness.
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