live in the past

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When the time comes, these words from Ms. Antonetta will merit consideration: “Programs of euthanasia and sterilization don’t just live in the past, terrible but finished. Their aftershocks are terrible and here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

Some live in the past, and some struggle in the present.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024

"A season like that is something amazing and rare. Sure, I would love to do it again but it's not advantageous to live in the past."

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2023

“It’s one that I’ll always cherish,” he said, “but I think if you live in the past, you’re going to get exposed in the present and so were not going to do that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2022

But you can’t live in the past; you can only visit.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson