throw the baby out with the bathwater

Definition & Meaning of "[throw] the baby out with the bathwater"

throw the baby out with the bathwater

to lose the good alongside the bad in an attempt to dispose of the bad

What is the origin of the idiom "throw the baby out with the bathwater" and when to use it?

The idiom "throw the baby out with the bathwater" warns against getting rid of something valuable or important while trying to eliminate something undesirable. It originated in the 16th century when communal bathing was more common, and family members would use the same bathwater in succession. The baby, being the last to bathe, was at risk of being accidentally discarded with the dirty water. This phrase is used to caution against rejecting the good along with the bad.

Example

In revising the company's policies, they need to ensure they don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, losing important elements of the existing structure.