that was then, this is now

English

Alternative forms

• that was then and this is now
• that was then; this is now
• That was then. This is now.

Phrase

that was then, this is now

1. (set phrase) The situation, behavior, or opinion of a person or group has changed considerably; the circumstances or characteristics of something have changed considerably.
   • 1983 February 6, Joseph F. Sullivan, “Mr. Kean and the coalition”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 July 2018:

     Reminded of some of his past opinions about the coalition, he smiled and said what amounted to: That was then; this is now.

   • 2007 February 1, Christopher Hume, “Varsity needs more than a 9 iron”, in The Star, Canada, retrieved 15 July 2018:

     Of course everyone remembers the glory days when Varsity was host to the Argos and then John Lennon and Yoko Ono – that was then, this is now.

   • 2009 July 16, Robert Chew, “Utilities Scramble to Meet Power Needs of Electric Cars”, in Time, retrieved 15 July 2018:

     But in the 1990s a similar optimism hit here too, only to fizzle as gas prices plummeted and gas-guzzling SUVs took over the auto market with a vengeance. That was then; this is now.

   • 2016 October 10, James Kirkup, “Brexit means Brexit, but Parliament is Parliament. MPs must vote on how we leave”, in Telegraph, UK, retrieved 15 July 2018:

     Yes, it is true that some time ago, Parliament could reasonably have been been said to be pro-EU and pro-single market. But that was then, this is now.