To Discard the Good Along with the Bad
The source of this expression may be a German proverb, Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten (Pouring the baby out with the bath), and its vivid image of upending a small tub clearly caught on. It appeared in English in 1853, possibly as a translation from the German by Thomas Carlyle, and was favored by George Bernard Shaw, who used it in several books, including Parents and Children (1914): “We are apt to make the usual blunder of emptying the baby out with the bath.”
Similar Terms, Expressions, and Synonyms
- Cut off your nose to spite your face: Taking a drastic action that ultimately harms oneself more than the intended target.
- Throw the baby out with the bathwater: Disposing of useful parts or elements while attempting to get rid of the bad.
- Burn one’s bridges: Destroying any opportunity for retreat or return.
- Heavy-handed: Overstepping the necessary measures.
- Overkill: Using more force than is necessary.
Antonyms
- Cherry-pick: Selectively choose the best
- Refine: Improve by making small changes
- Tailor: Adjust precisely to one’s needs
- Prune: Trim by cutting away the bad to enhance growth
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Throwing out the baby with the bathwater… well, I prefer to keep my babies and hire a cleaner.” — Anonymous Kids vs. Housekeeping Survivor
- “If you throw the baby out with the bathwater, is the bathwater at least recyclable?” — Eco-Jester Journal
References
- Literature: Parents and Children by George Bernard Shaw
- Books: Flying Too Close to the Sun, Comparing overcompensation to classic Greek tragedies.
- Songs: “Hello, Goodbye” by The Beatles - The song lyrics, much like old expressions, are a paradox of elimination and retention.
- Poetry: The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot - About refining the essential from discardable
- Movies: The Big Short - A story about the financial crisis and not discerning good investments from bad
### What does "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" mean?
- [ ] Waste precious time with bath toys
- [x] Discard the valuable along with the unwanted
- [ ] Ensure recycled materials are always clean
- [ ] Remove all bath essentials after bathing
> **Explanation:** "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" implies being cautious not to discard something valuable amidst eliminating the unwanted.
### Which expression is synonymous with avoiding unnecessary thoroughness?
- [x] Throwing the baby out with the bathwater
- [ ] Climbing the corporate ladder
- [ ] Sailing through troubled waters
- [ ] Drawing a fine line
> **Explanation:** "Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" means dispensing with more than necessary, much like avoiding unnecessary thoroughness.
### Identify the German source of "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater".
- [x] Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten
- [ ] Achtung Verkehrsschild
- [ ] Ein Hauch von Frühling
- [ ] Die Kinder von Obdachlosen
> **Explanation:** The German expression "Das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten" is the source of "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater," meaning to discard the good along with the bad.
As we navigate life’s decisions, let’s remember to keep the intrinsic value in the mix and not wash away the essence in the tide. Farewell, dear reader, and may your choices be as refined as an aged wine and as focused as a laser beam.
Ellie Quipped
