Go down the drain meaning

"Go down the drain" means to be wasted or lost, typically referring to something valuable or important vanishing without a positive outcome.


Go down the drain definitions

Word backwards og nwod eht niard
Part of speech This phrase is a verb phrase.
Syllabic division go down the drain Syllable separation: go down/ the drain
Plural The plural of "go down the drain" would be "go down the drains."
Total letters 14
Vogais (4) o,e,a,i
Consonants (7) g,d,w,n,t,h,r

Understanding the Concept of Going Down the Drain

The phrase "go down the drain" is often used to describe a situation where something is wasted, lost, or fails to materialize. This expression typically implies that something has not been used effectively or has not produced the desired results. When something goes down the drain, it essentially means that it has been discarded or has become useless.

Origins of the Phrase

The origins of this phrase can be traced back to the literal act of something being washed down a drain. Just as water flows down a drain and disappears, the concept of going down the drain suggests that something is being lost or wasted without any chance of recovery. This imagery emphasizes the finality and irreversibility of the situation.

Examples of Things Going Down the Drain

In a metaphorical sense, a variety of things can go down the drain. This may include time, money, opportunities, efforts, or even relationships. For instance, if a significant amount of money is spent on a project that ultimately fails, one might say that the money went down the drain. Similarly, if someone neglects to take advantage of an opportunity, it can be said that the opportunity went down the drain.

Waste and futility are common themes associated with the concept of going down the drain. It often conveys a sense of regret or disappointment over the loss or squandering of something valuable. By recognizing when things are going down the drain, individuals and organizations can take steps to prevent such occurrences and make more conscious, strategic decisions in the future.


Go down the drain Examples

  1. My hopes of winning the lottery seemed to go down the drain when I checked my ticket and realized I didn't have a single matching number.
  2. After years of neglect, the old house had fallen into disrepair and was slowly going down the drain.
  3. The company's reputation went down the drain after a series of scandals were uncovered.
  4. All my hard work on the project went down the drain when my computer crashed and I lost all my files.
  5. Her dreams of becoming a professional athlete went down the drain when she tore her ACL during a game.
  6. I could see the money I invested in that startup going down the drain as the company struggled to stay afloat.
  7. The relationship went down the drain after they realized they wanted different things in life.
  8. The family's savings went down the drain when they had to unexpectedly pay for a major home repair.
  9. The restaurant's reputation started to go down the drain after customers complained about the quality of the food.
  10. His health went down the drain after years of leading an unhealthy lifestyle.


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  • Updated 23/04/2024 - 07:09:14