IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

live in the past

Meaning: To be preoccupied with previous events and unable to move forward in life.

Example: “He still talks about his college football days; he lives in the past.”

Origin: The phrase draws on the image of physically or mentally remaining in a former time, unable or unwilling to progress.

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Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Pain Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur.
  • Coin Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
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