Down the Drain 🚰
Definition
Down the drain - Refers to wasted resources, whether it be money, effort, or time. Just like water disappearing down a drain, these resources are irrecoverably lost.
Example Sentence: “All the preparation for the outdoor party went down the drain when it started raining.”
Related Terms
- Down the tubes: Similar in meaning, indicating wasted or lost effort/resources.
- In vain: Efforts were made without achieving any success.
- Throw away: To discard something as worthless or useless.
Synonyms
- Squandered
- Wasted
- Lost
- Forfeited
Antonyms
- Preserved
- Saved
- Conserved
- Utilized
Humor-Filled Quote
“Why did the ocean turn into a plumber? Because everything was going down the drain!” 😂
Proverbs
- Penny wise, pound foolish: Saving small amounts in possibly ineffective ways while wasting larger amounts in substantial ways.
- A stitch in time saves nine: Prompt action can prevent waste or loss later on.
Inspirations from Literature and More
Books:
- “Too Much” by Sir Alan Patrick Herbert
- “The Breadwinner” by W Somerset Maugham
Songs:
- “Gone Down the Drain” by Mondo Cozmo
- “Circling the Drain” by Katy Perry
Movies:
- “Down the Drain” (1990) - A comedy that’s true to its name!
Poetry:
- Poem: “The Wasted Effort” by Anonymous
Away it went, my whole campaign,
Down the unyielding, mocking drain.
Do what you may and what you will,
Sometimes, the drain takes its fill.
### What does "down the drain" mean?
- [x] Wasted resources
- [ ] Something very profitable
- [ ] A joyful event
- [ ] Natural calamity
> **Explanation:** "Down the drain" signifies wasted resources, be it time, money, or effort, much like water flowing irrecoverably down a drain.
### Which of these is a synonym for "down the drain"?
- [ ] Found
- [ ] Trapped
- [ ] Preserved
- [x] Wasted
> **Explanation:** "Wasted" is synonymous with "down the drain," indicating that resources have been expended all for naught.
### Which is another way of saying "down the drain"?
- [x] Down the tubes
- [ ] To the moon
- [ ] Cutting corners
- [ ] Abiding time
> **Explanation:** "Down the tubes" is similar to "down the drain," both expressing waste or loss.
### Related phrase: "Penny wise, pound ..."
- [ ] Prudent
- [ ] Exactly
- [ ] Foolish
- [x] Valuable
> **Explanation:** "Penny wise, pound foolish" essentially captures the essence of wasting significant resources after saving inconsequential amounts.
### True or False: W Somerset Maugham referred to savings being "down the drain" in his 1930 play, "The Breadwinner."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** W Somerset Maugham indeed used "down the drain" in this context in "The Breadwinner."
Final Thoughts from Eleanor Inscribe
“Consider every moment, and choose wisely where your efforts flow. Apply yourself where the return is worthy, not simply to avoid seeing it all go down the drain.”
Don’t let your wisdom or work be washed away. Use your lessons learned to build something that lasts!
Until next time, Eleanor Inscribe 🌟
