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to pay too dearly for one's whistle
01
to waste too much money, resources, or effort on doing something that proves to be unfulfilling in the end
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What is the origin of the idiom "pay too dearly for one's whistle" and when to use it?
The idiom "pay too dearly for one's whistle" is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century. The phrase comes from a story about a boy who spends all of his money on a whistle, only to realize that he has paid too much for something that has little value. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone has paid a high price or made a significant sacrifice for something that is ultimately of little value or benefit.
Example
The entrepreneur paid too dearly for their whistle by investing all their money in a business that ultimately failed.
The athlete is risking injury by pushing themselves too hard in training - they may end up paying too dearly for their whistle.
If you invest in that company without doing your research, you might pay too dearly for your whistle.
If you don't take the time to read the contract carefully, you could end up paying too dearly for your whistle.
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