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UKdown the drain
/dˌaʊn ðə dɹˈeɪn/
/dˌaʊn ðə dɹˈeɪn/down the drain
[PHRASE]1
used to refer to something, such as a chance, idea, etc., that has been completely wasted or neglected
What is the origin of the idiom "down the drain" and when to use it?
The idiom "down the drain" is believed to have originated in the United States in the 20th century. The phrase refers to something that has been wasted or lost, often due to careless or thoughtless action. The phrase "down the drain" likely originated from the idea of water or other liquid being lost or wasted by being poured down a drain. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where something that was valuable or important has been lost or wasted due to poor decision-making or a lack of care.
Examples
1. Whenever illegal hooch or beer was discovered by the feds, it met the same fate: crack open the kegs and let the contents flow down the drain.
2. 2020 was supposed to be a better year for dairy farmers, but that has all gone down the drain.
3. The money spent on the failed project went down the drain.
4. The time spent waiting in traffic was all down the drain when he missed the important meeting.
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