Don’t cry over spilt milk

The meaning of this phrase is self-explanatory though the origin of it is unclear. Isn’t it true that crying won’t do any good after the milk has been spilled. What has happened has happened and getting upset over it cannot change it. So the phrase is to comfort people when something unfortunate has happened. In this case, the best tactic would be to get over it and to look forward. It is interesting to note that the corresponding Chinese saying is 「覆水難收」which has exactly the same meaning.