💸 Throw Good Money After Bad: When Persistence Meets Foolishness 🧐
#throwgoodmoneyafterbad
Definition:
To continue wasting resources on a hopeless project.
Ah, the perils of stubbornness and optimism—sometimes our best intentions are like throwing good money after bad. Why? The project has about as much hope of success as a snowball in a heatwave, but we can’t resist funding it with fervor.
Inspired Literary Mention:
“If they would… start free, instead of sending good money after bad—how much happier would be this world of ours!”
—James Payn, The Canon’s Ward (1884)
Similar Expressions:
- “Beating a dead horse”
- “Flogging a dead horse”
- “Pouring money down the drain”
- “Burying money in a black hole”
Antonyms:
- “Cutting one’s losses”
- “Knowing when to fold”
- “Getting out while the getting’s good”
Humor-Filled Quote: “Continuing a hopeless project is like asking your cat to make breakfast—both are a waste of good intentions and resources.” — Penny Wiser
Proverb Reference: “A stitch in time saves nine.” Better to cut losses early than to persist and incur more damage.
Educational Tidbits 🌱
- History & Origins: Earliest known use dates back to the 19th century with an emphasis on preventing further waste.
- Financial Wisdom: This idiom serves as a metaphorical alarm bell in investing, reminding us to reassess and strategy-check regularly.
Suggested Literature for Broader Understanding:
- The Money Pit by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
Songs Worthwhile to Lend An Ear:
- “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
- “All the Money I Had is Gone” by The Deep Dark Woods
Movies for Reflection:
- The Money Pit starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long
- Up in the Air starring George Clooney
Farewell Note: Blind persistence might show resilience, but wisdom knows when to change course. As we explore idioms and clichés, may we always choose to be financially savvy and emotionally intelligent.
