What happens in the video
In the Short, Hana and Marco look at twelve broken cups. Hana jokes that Marco now has zero dishes to wash, and he asks if he should break the plates too. Then Hana says "What's done is done" and asks for a coffee, which Marco serves in a soup bowl.
1 That's life.
Tone Gentle, a soft shrug
Use it for small daily bad luck, like a missed bus or a rainy weekend. Avoid it for serious loss, because it can sound like you don't care.
That's life, bro.
For example:
A: I waited an hour, and the store closed right before I got there.
B: That's life. We can go tomorrow morning.
2 It is what it is.
Tone Casual and relaxed
Say it when you can't change things and you have decided not to fight them. Don't use it when the other person still needs help solving the problem, because it can end the conversation too fast.
It is what it is.
For example:
A: Your flight is delayed again?
B: Yes, three more hours. It is what it is.
A: At least you have a good book.
3 What's done is done.
Tone Firm, time to move on
Use it to end the worry after a mistake that already happened. It sounds firm, so say it kindly if the other person feels bad.
What's done is done.
For example:
A: I sent the email with a typo in the first line.
B: What's done is done. Just be careful with the next one.
4 Oh well.
Tone Light, quick acceptance
Use it for very small problems that don't matter much. It can sound careless if someone else is upset about the problem.
For example:
A: They sold the last chocolate cake.
B: Oh well. I'll get the lemon one.
5 These things happen.
Tone Kind and reassuring
Say it to comfort someone after an accident or a small mistake. It tells the person the mistake is normal, so it works well with coworkers and friends.
For example:
A: I'm so sorry, I spilled coffee on your notes.
B: Don't worry, these things happen. I have a copy.
6 There's nothing we can do about it now.
Tone Calm and practical
Use it when the moment to act has passed and you want to focus on the next step. It is clear and neutral, so it fits work and family talk.
For example:
A: We should have booked the hotel last week.
B: True, but there's nothing we can do about it now. Let's look for another one.
7 Let's move on.
Tone Direct, forward looking
Use it to change the focus from the problem to what comes next, often in meetings. It can sound cold if someone still wants to talk about their feelings.
For example:
A: The first plan didn't work at all.
B: Agreed. Let's move on and try the second plan.
8 There's no use crying over spilled milk.
Tone Old saying, mildly teasing
This idiom means it is pointless to be sad about a small thing that can't be fixed. Use it with friends and family, not when someone is truly hurt.
For example:
A: I can't believe I forgot my umbrella today.
B: There's no use crying over spilled milk. You can share mine.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
What's done is did.Better What's done is done.
The phrase uses the past participle "done" twice. "What's" here means "what is," so you need "is done," not "is did."
-
Not quite
It is what is it.Better It is what it is.
The second part is a statement, not a question, so the word order stays "it is." Changing the order makes the line sound wrong to native speakers.
-
Not quite
Your grandfather died? That's life.Better I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?
"That's life" is for small daily bad luck. With serious loss it sounds cold, so show care first.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
Your friend keeps worrying about a mistake from yesterday. Which line best tells them to stop worrying?
- What's done is done.
- Oh well.
- Let's go.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: What's done is done. It is firm and is used to end the worry about something already finished.
-
What is the tone of "That's life"?
- Angry and loud
- Gentle, a soft shrug
- Formal and polite
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: Gentle, a soft shrug People say it calmly about small daily bad luck.
-
Which situation fits "It is what it is" best?
- You won a prize.
- Your train is delayed and you can't change it.
- You want to ask for directions.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Your train is delayed and you can't change it. The line is for situations you cannot change.
-
A coworker spills water on your desk and apologizes. What is the kindest reply?
- Let's move on.
- These things happen.
- It is what it is.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: These things happen. It reassures the person that the accident is normal.
-
Which line is NOT a good choice after someone shares very sad news?
- I'm so sorry.
- That's life.
- That must be hard.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: That's life. It is for small problems and can sound uncaring about serious loss.
Questions learners ask
What does "What's done is done" mean?
It means something already happened and you can't change it, so it's time to stop worrying and move on. "What's" is short for "what is." The tone is firm, so say it kindly when the other person feels bad.
Is "It is what it is" rude?
Usually not. It is a casual, relaxed way to accept a situation you can't change. It can sound dismissive if someone wants your help with a problem, so use it mostly about your own situation or when both of you agree nothing can change.
What is the difference between "That's life" and "What's done is done"?
"That's life" is a soft shrug about general bad luck, like rain on your day off. "What's done is done" usually follows a specific action or mistake and tells someone to stop thinking about it. The second one sounds firmer.
Can I use these lines at work?
Yes, most of them. "There's nothing we can do about it now" and "Let's move on" fit meetings well. "That's life" and "Oh well" are more casual, so save them for relaxed conversations with coworkers you know.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Marco are animated characters made with Google Flow.
