What Does “Water under the bridge” Mean and How to Use It in the IELTS Exam

The idiom “water under the bridge” (/ˈwɔːtə ʌndər ðə brɪdʒ/) is commonly used in English to describe past events that are no longer considered important or worth worrying about. This idiom can be incredibly useful for IELTS candidates, not only in expanding their vocabulary but also in showcasing their understanding of nuanced English expressions.

Synonyms and Related Terms

1. Let bygones be bygones (/ˈlaɪəts ˈbaɪˌɡɒns ˈbiː ˈbaɪˌɡɒns/): To forget past disagreements.

   • Example: “After years of arguing, they decided to let bygones be bygones.”

2. Ancient history (/ˈeɪnʃənt ˈhɪstəri/): Old events that are no longer relevant.

   • Example: “Their last fight is ancient history now.”

3. Move on (/muːv ɒn/): To continue with one’s life after a harsh experience.

   • Example: “It’s time to move on and start anew.”

4. Forgive and forget (/fəˈɡɪv ənd fəˈɡet/): To pardon someone and erase their wrongdoings from memory.

   • Example: “They always managed to forgive and forget.”

5. Bury the hatchet (/ˈberi ðə ˈhætʃɪt/): To end an argument and become friends again.

   • Example: “After years of animosity, they finally buried the hatchet.”

Bridge over Water

Understanding “Water under the bridge”

Meaning and Pronunciation

The phrase “water under the bridge” implies that something has happened in the past and is not worth discussing anymore. In the context of the IELTS exam, understanding idioms like this one can help you better interpret reading passages or aptly use them in writing and speaking sections.

Usage

The idiom is often used to suggest that someone should not worry about past events that cannot be changed. Here are some detailed examples:

1. “Arguments are just water under the bridge now; let’s focus on our future.”

   • In this sentence, the idiom reassures that past disagreements are forgotten.

2. “Although they had differences in the past, those are water under the bridge.”

   • This demonstrates looking past historical disputes.

3. “She finally realized that all their struggles were just water under the bridge.”

   • The usage here shows a personal acknowledgment of moving past hardship.

4. “After so many years, their conflicts are merely water under the bridge.”

   • This implies long-past conflicts are no longer significant.

5. “Considering everything as water under the bridge, they decided to reconcile.”

   • This example indicates reconciliation by choosing to forget past issues.

Relevance in IELTS

Commonality in IELTS Exams

Idiomatic expressions like “water under the bridge” may appear in various parts of the IELTS exam, from reading to listening sections, and are highly useful in writing and speaking parts to demonstrate advanced English proficiency.

Sample IELTS Writing Task

Task: Write about a time when you resolved a disagreement with someone. How did this experience change your perspective on conflicts?

Response Example:
“In retrospect, the disagreement with my colleague was quite intense, but as they say, it is now just water under the bridge. Had we not resolved it, our collaborative efforts would have suffered. This experience taught me the importance of communication and moving on from past grievances to focus on future endeavors.”

Sample IELTS Speaking Task

Question: Describe a situation where you had to let go of a past conflict.

Answer Example:
“A few years ago, I had a major fallout with a close friend. At the time, it seemed insurmountable, but over time, I realized that it was merely water under the bridge. We both moved on and learned to forgive and forget, strengthening our friendship.”

Sample IELTS Listening Scenario

Scenario: A conversation between two colleagues discussing a past project failure.

Listening Script Excerpt:
“John: Remember that botched project last year?
Mary: Oh yes, but it’s all water under the bridge now. We’ve learned from our mistakes and are doing better.”

Idioms and Expressions Related to the Idiom

Understanding idioms related to “water under the bridge” can further enrich your vocabulary arsenal:

1. “Cry over spilled milk”: To be upset about something that cannot be changed.

   • Example: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s just clean up the mess and move on.”
   • More details can be found here.

2. “Bury the hatchet”: To end a dispute and become friendly.

   • Example: “After years of rivalry, they finally buried the hatchet.”

3. “Let bygones be bygones”: To forget past disagreements.

   • Example: “They had decided to let bygones be bygones and start afresh.”
   • More details can be found here.

4. “Move on”: To overcome past issues and progress.

   • Example: “After the breakup, she just needed to move on.”

5. “Live and let live”: To accept other people’s differences.

   • Example: “They learned to live and let live, avoiding unnecessary conflicts.”

Conclusion

In summary, the idiom “water under the bridge” is a useful addition to your English vocabulary, particularly beneficial for the IELTS exam. Not only does it help in articulating sophisticated ideas, but it also enhances understanding of English nuances. Practice integrating this idiom and related expressions into both your written and spoken responses to diversify your language skills further.

By familiarizing yourself with these idioms and their applications, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a high score on the IELTS exam, demonstrating both your language proficiency and cultural understanding.