Idioms or proverbs to express that the time goes only one direction.

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Mila2015

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I am looking for any expressions to show that we can't turn time back, using the RIVER as a metaphor.
So far I have two on my mind:
You can never step in the same river twice
— No way to hold back the river

Which one sounds better?
 
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probus

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Here's the actual English idiom that has that meaning: It's water under the bridge. It means that whatever has already happened can never be changed.
 

Raymott

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“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
Heraclitus ~ 500BC. (The original was in ancient Greek.)
 

Mila2015

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“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
Heraclitus ~ 500BC. (The original was in ancient Greek.)

Here we go! I love this one!
 

Rover_KE

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You can't turn the clock back.

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube.

You can't put the genie back in the bottle.
 

Roman55

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Time and tide wait for no man.
 

MikeNewYork

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90 clocks? Are you a collector or anal retentive?
 

Elliot67

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One I have heard, and often use in its Spanish version, is "Don't cross the bridge before reaching the river".
 

Rover_KE

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Welcome to the forum, Elliot.:)

Unfortunately, that expression does not mean what the rest of the sayings in this thread mean.:-(
 
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