be ancient history—said of a past event that has lost its original impact or importance:
- For today’s high school students all of that war is ancient history.
be history—
1. said of smb. whose career has been brought to an end:
- We are familiar with that reference: “He is history now,” which condemns some poor individual to the rubbish bin of life.
2. = be ancient history:
- After reading the two latest reports, I have to wonder about Bishop Gregory’s assertion that this scandal is history.