"toothpaste is out of the tube" in Chinese (Traditional)

• 覆水難收
• 事情已經發生

Definition

這個表達意思是一件事已經發生，無法挽回，就像牙膏擠出來就塞不回去一樣。用來形容無法改變的情況。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Traditional))

多用於非正式場合，比喻事情一旦發生就回不了頭。和‘覆水難收’意思相近，但強調無法收回的行為或信息。常見於犯錯或洩密後。

Examples

After sending the email, the toothpaste is out of the tube.

信件寄出後，**覆水難收**。

Once the news is out, the toothpaste is out of the tube.

消息傳出之後，**事情已經發生**。

He told the secret, so the toothpaste is out of the tube.

他說出了祕密，**覆水難收**。

You can’t unsend that text—the toothpaste is out of the tube now.

你已無法收回那則訊息，**覆水難收**了。

Oops, I already posted it—guess the toothpaste is out of the tube!

哎呀，我已經發了——**事情已經發生**！

People warned him, but he ignored them. Now the toothpaste is out of the tube.

大家早就提醒過他，但他沒當回事。現在**覆水難收**了。