go down the drain
Meaning
To be wasted or lost (time, money, effort), or for a plan/situation to fail completely.
Origin
From the literal image of water and small items disappearing into a drain—once it goes down, it’s hard or impossible to recover—extended to wasted resources or failed efforts.
Notes
Emphasizes irretrievable loss/waste. Common in everyday speech for money, time, effort, or plans that are ruined.
Examples
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If we cancel the project now, all that time and money will go down the drain.
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He forgot to save the document, and three hours of work went down the drain.
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Without a clear plan, the team's effort is likely to go down the drain.
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When the pipe burst, our newly renovated kitchen basically went down the drain.
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If you keep skipping practice, your chances of making the team will go down the drain.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as “go/went/has gone down the drain.” Often with a subject like “money/time/effort” or with “all” (e.g., “It all went down the drain”).
Synonyms
- be wasted
- go to waste
- be down the tubes
- be squandered
Antonyms
- pay off
- work out
- bear fruit
- come to fruition