💸 Fritter Away: Turn Small Wastes into Big Regrets 💔
Definitions
- Gradually waste or wear down. This seemingly rustic expression was used by Alexander Pope in The Dunciad (1728), in which he lampooned all his literary enemies: “How prologues into prefaces decay, And these to notes are fritter’d quite away.”
Synonyms
- Squander
- Waste
- Dwindle
- Dissipate
- Whittle away
Antonyms
- Save
- Preserve
- Conserve
- Accumulate
- Hoard
Quotes
“Don’t let your dollars get frittered away; sometimes the penny savings are the pound earnings.” — Anonymous
Proverbs
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.” — Benjamin Franklin
- “Waste not, want not.”
- “Take care of the pennies, and the pounds will take care of themselves.”
Related Terms
- Burn a hole in one’s pocket - To feel the need to spend money quickly.
- Penny wise, pound foolish - Making wise, small financial decisions but failing on the bigger, more essential fronts.
- Live high off the hog - Living extravagantly when it may not be sustainable.
Literature References
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald — A tale of squandered wealth and opportunities.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — A study in saving vs. frittering away resources.
- The Monkey’s Paw by W. W. Jacobs — Using three wished foolishly can lead to regret.
Songs
- “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA
- “If I Had $1,000,000” by Barenaked Ladies
- “Wasting My Time” by Default
Movies
- Up in the Air (2009) - Examines the transient and often wasteful spendings of corporate downsizers.
- Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - A delightful cautionary tale of spending without forethought.
- Wall Street (1987) - Reflects the consequences of unchecked greed and waste.
Quizzes
### Which of these represents the concept of 'fritter away'?
- [x] Spending little by little until there's nothing left
- [ ] Building savings diligently
- [ ] Investing in stocks
- [ ] Purchasing essential items
> **Explanation:** Gradually wasting or wearing down resources, time, or wealth aligns most closely with the concept of 'frittering away.'
### What is the opposite of frittering away?
- [ ] Spending frivolously
- [ ] Throwing a big party
- [x] Saving diligently
- [ ] Day-dreaming
> **Explanation:** The antonym of frittering away would be saving or preserving resources and wealth.
### True or False: 'Frittering away' is often seen as positive.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** 'Frittering away' generally holds a negative connotation, implying wastefulness or a lack of awareness in managing resources.
### Which idiom is related to inefficient spending?
- [ ] A stitch in time saves nine
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
- [x] Penny wise, pound foolish
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
> **Explanation:** 'Penny wise, pound foolish' relates to inefficient spending by highlighting small savings at the cost of larger mistakes.
### Match the idioms to their meanings:
1. Burn a hole in one's pocket
2. Live high off the hog
3. Take care of the pennies
Match with:
A. Inability to hold on to money
B. Live lavishly
C. Small savings matter
- [x] 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
> **Explanation:** 'Burn a hole in one's pocket' (1-A) means struggling to keep money, 'Live high off the hog' (2-B) implies lavish living, and 'Take care of the pennies' (3-C) highlights the importance of small savings.
✨ The idiom “fritter away” serves as a poignant reminder that small, seemingly insignificant losses can accumulate into substantial deficits over time. Wisdom lies in conserving our most precious currencies: time, effort, and resources.
Until next time, don’t fritter away your day!
Penn E. Wise
