Did someone just apologize to you for doing you wrong? If you feel like forgiving them, you could use the phrase ‘water under the bridge’ to let them know you don’t have a problem with them and that you appreciate the apology.
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘water under the bridge’ is usually a response to someone apologizing to you for something. The person appears genuine in their apology, and you are willing to forgive them for their transgressions.
It’s a way of telling the person that you want to put the events behind you and move forward without holding a grudge against them. You're telling the person that bygones are bygones, and what happened in the past stays in the past.
‘Water under the bridge’ means you don’t hold the actions or words of the other person against them, and you don’t feel it's something worth falling out over.
Example Usage
“I appreciate your apology, thank you. It’s water under the bridge, and we shouldn’t let that ruin our friendship. Bygones are bygones, and let's move forward in life.”
“If you man up and apologize, you’ll probably find he doesn’t care about it. If he says it's water under the bridge, you know you’re all good with him.”
“It’s okay. I won’t hold it against you. I know you were drunk and weren’t thinking about what you were saying. It’s water under the bridge.”
Origin
The expression 'water under the bridge' originated in the 1900s. The proverb's original format is 'A lot of water has flowed over the dam.' There are two variations of the saying. 'water under the bridge,' used by the British, and 'water over the dam' used by Americans.
'Water under the bridge' is the original version, and Americans adopted the phrase, changing it to their version in the following decades. Language experts are unsure of the exact date the term appeared, its first use in print, and who coined the expression.
Phrases Similar to Water Under the Bridge
- Let bygones be bygones.
- No worries.
- I forgive you.
- It’s all good.
Phrases Opposite to Water Under the Bridge
- I refuse to forgive you.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Water under the bridge.
Ways People May Say Water Under the Bridge Incorrectly
The phrase has nothing to do with water or bridges. Using it to describe rivers or water following under bridges is incorrect. The ‘water’ in this case is the transgression, and the bridge is your relationship with the person.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Water Under the Bridge
You can use the phrase ‘water under the bridge’ when you want to tell someone that you’re not going to hold previous words or actions they said against you as a grudge. Typically, you’ll use this phrase when replying to someone apologizing to you.
The phrase suits social and professional use. Use it with friends when they apologize for insulting you or at work when your manager apologizes for treating you unfairly. ‘Water under the bridge’ is another way of telling someone that you forgive them and don’t hold their transgressions against them. You can use it when you want to tell someone you’re wiping the slate clean.