IdiomNature
Persian
Persianآب از سرش گذشته (âb az sarash gozashte)
Meaning: It is already too late to save the situation.
Literally: The water has passed over his head
Example: “برای پس گرفتن پول دیگر دیر است؛ آب از سرش گذشته.” — It's too late to get the money back; that ship has sailed.
English equivalent: That ship has sailed
Equivalents in other languages
French: Les carottes sont cuites Literally: The carrots are cooked
English: that ship has sailed
Origin: Once water has closed over a drowning person's head, it hardly matters how deep it is. The phrase means it is already too late to save the situation; the fuller saying adds che yek ney, che sad ney (whether one reed's depth or a hundred). No first use is documented.
More Persian idioms
- گربه را دم حجله کشتن (gorbe rā dam-e hejle koshtan) To assert authority firmly from the very start.
- مرغ همسایه غاز است (morgh-e hamsāye ghāz ast) The grass is always greener next door.
- از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است (az in sotun be ān sotun faraj ast) Even a small change may bring hope.
- قربونت برم (ghorbunet beram) An affectionate thank-you or term of endearment — 'you're so dear to me'.
- زیر آب کسی را زدن (Zir-e āb-e kasi rā zadan) To secretly sabotage or betray someone behind their back.
- نمکگیر شدن (namakgir shodan) To feel bound by gratitude after sharing someone's food or hospitality.
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- Che spettacolo! You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.
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