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to come to realize what could have been done to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened
British
What is the origin of the idiom "wise after the event" and when to use it?
The idiom "wise after the event" is believed to have originated in the early 19th century in England. The phrase describes a situation where someone has gained knowledge or understanding about a past event or situation, only after it has occurred. The idiom implies that the person did not have the knowledge or understanding at the time of the event, and that their insight is only valuable in hindsight. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone has gained insight or understanding about something only after it has happened, and that their hindsight is of little use in preventing the event from occurring.
