摘要：“What's done is done.”作为英语中极具哲学意味的习语，最早可追溯至莎士比亚的《麦克白》（Macbeth）。剧中麦克白夫人在罪行败露后说出此句，其深层含义不仅是对既成事实的陈述，更蕴含着对不可逆转命运的无奈与接受。该习语在现代英语中已成为固定
一、习语溯源与核心语义
“What's done is done.”作为英语中极具哲学意味的习语，最早可追溯至莎士比亚的《麦克白》（Macbeth）。剧中麦克白夫人在罪行败露后说出此句，其深层含义不仅是对既成事实的陈述，更蕴含着对不可逆转命运的无奈与接受。该习语在现代英语中已成为固定表达“木已成舟，覆水难收、生米已做成了熟饭、往事不堪回首、过去已无可更改、已成定局、既往不咎、事已至此等”的意思。
在《麦克白》原著中，麦克白夫人的这句台词：
What's done is done. The earth hath swallowed all my blood.
事已至此，大地已吞噬我所有鲜血。
通过夸张的隐喻，将不可挽回的罪恶感与宿命感渲染至极致，展现出文学巨匠对人性困境的深刻洞察。
又如小说应用：查尔斯·狄更斯在《双城记》中写道：
What's done is done, and now it's time to face the future.
往事不堪回首。现在是时候面对未来了。
通过与现实语境的结合，使习语成为推动叙事、引导人物转变的关键语句，体现出过去与未来的时间张力。
二、现实场景中的实用范例
1. 情感安慰场景
I'm so upset that I made a mistake in the exam.
What's done is done. Don't worry too much about it. Just focus on the next one.
我很沮丧，我在考试中犯了个错误。
事已至此，别太担心了。专注于下一次考试吧。
I ruined our vacation by forgetting the tickets.
What's done is done. Let's figure out how to make the most of it.
我忘了带票，毁了我们的假期。
事已至此，我们想想怎么把这次旅行变得愉快些吧。
When she lamented her lost opportunity, her friend consoled, What's done is done. Focus on the next chance.
当她为错失机会而哀叹时，朋友安慰道：“已成定局，专注下一次机会吧。”
I missed the opportunity to get that job. What's done is done. I'll look for other chances.
我错过了得到那份工作的机会。事已至此，我会寻找其他机会的。
2. 决策与反思场景
After the failed merger, the CEO addressed the board, “What's done is done. Our priority now is strategic restructuring.”
并购失败后，首席执行官对董事会表示：“木已成舟，我们当下的首要任务是战略重组。”
In the post-mortem meeting, the team leader reminded everyone, “What's done is done. Let's focus on preventive measures for future projects.”
在复盘会议上，团队负责人提醒众人：“既往不咎，我们应聚焦未来项目的预防措施。”
We failed to win the contract. But what's done is done. Let's analyze the reasons and prepare better for the next one.
我们没能赢得那份合同。但事已至此，我们来分析一下原因，为下一次做好更充分的准备。
3. 哲学思辨场景
In existentialist discussions, the phrase “What's done is done” often sparks debates about free will versus determinism.
在存在主义讨论中，“事已至此”这一习语常引发关于自由意志与决定论的辩论。
修辞变体：可通过添加修饰词增强表现力，如“What's irrevocably done is done”（无可挽回的事已发生），或使用反问句“What's done is done, isn't it?”强化情感共鸣。
来源：翅膀英语一点号