long past
The traditions of that village are long past.
The traditions of that village existed far in the past and no longer exist now.
far in the past; belonging to a distant time
The castle's grandeur is long past.
The castle was once grand but that grandeur no longer exists.
Those customs are long past and forgotten.
Those customs existed in the distant past and are no longer practiced.
Used to describe something that existed in the past but no longer exists or is relevant today.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal confusion
Do not confuse 'long past' with 'long passed' (which means 'deceased' or 'no longer alive'). 'Long past' refers to time, while 'long passed' refers to life status.
Gold Rule
Use with time-related nouns
This phrase works best with nouns that represent eras, traditions, customs, or states that can fade or disappear over time.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'long' (Old English 'lang', meaning 'distant in space or time') and 'past' (from Old English 'pæst', past participle of 'passan', meaning 'to pass'). The phrase has been used in English since at least the 17th century to describe time periods far removed from the present.
Usage Notes
This phrase is typically used in formal or literary contexts to emphasize that something belongs to a distant past and is no longer relevant or existent. It often carries a nostalgic or melancholic tone.