Don't throw good money after bad

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against investing more resources, time, or effort into something that is already unprofitable or unsuccessful

• financial caution
  Warn against making a poor financial decision, such as continuing to spend money on a failing venture or investment

Examples of Don't throw good money after bad

• Despite the fact that the company's latest product line has been a dismal failure, some executives are recommending that the company invest more money into marketing the products. In this case, "throwing good money after bad" refers to investing additional resources into a venture that has already proven to be unsuccessful.

  This idiom highlights the futility of continuing to invest time, money, or effort into a situation that is already losing money or yielding poor results. It suggests that it's best to cut one's losses and move on to more promising opportunities instead.

• After his first few filings were struck down by the courts, the embattled politician continued to spend money on costly legal battles, insisting that he could turn things around with just a little more effort. This was an example of throwing good money after bad, as his previous legal strategies had been unsuccessful and were unlikely to yield better results in the future.

  This idiom helps to illustrate the pointlessness of persisting with an approach that has already proven to be ineffective. It suggests that if a similar outcome is expected, it's better to cut one's losses and explore alternative solutions instead.

• The startup's product was not well-received by the market, but the founder was insistent on pumping more money into development, hoping that some tweaks could turn things around. This was a case of throwing good money after bad, as the original product had already demonstrated that there was little demand for it.

  This idiom underscores the importance of accepting the reality of a situation and learning to move on, rather than continuing to invest in a losing proposition. It encourages a shift in perspective from one of stubborn persistence to one of strategic decision-making based on reliable data and solid evidence.

• The company's targeted marketing campaign had not produced the desired results, but instead of examining the reasons for its failure and making necessary adjustments, the management chose to pour more money into the same strategy, hoping for a better outcome. This was an illustration of throwing good money after bad, as failure to learn from past mistakes could ultimately lead to further losses.

  This idiom serves as a warning against the dangers of blindly repeating a failed strategy, ignoring the valuable lessons that can be learned from previous experiences. It encourages a proactive approach to problem-solving, focused on identifying and rectifying the root causes of failures, rather than simply throwing more resources at them in the hope of achieving success.

• Although the project had already consumed a large portion of the company's budget, the head of the department decided to continue investing in it, as he believed that some positive outcomes could still be attained. However, this decision was criticized by some of his colleagues, who argued that it was a case of "don't throw good money after bad".

  The idiom "don't throw good money after bad" is used to discourage someone from continuing to allocate resources to a failing venture. In this case, the company had already spent a lot of money on the project, but it was not delivering the desired results. Therefore, it would be irrational to sink even more funds into it, as it would essentially mean wasting good money in pursuit of an unsalvageable project.Example 2:

• The small business owner had invested heavily in a particular marketing campaign, but it did not yield the expected returns. Instead of abandoning the campaign and cutting her losses, she opted to double down and invest more money in a similar strategy. Her employees expressed their concerns, warning her that she was essentially "throwing good money after bad".

  The expression "don't throw good money after bad" is used to advise against pouring additional resources into a project that has already proved to be unprofitable. In this scenario, the business owner was willing to disregard this warning, hoping that a more extensive investment would somehow remedy the initial failure. However, this decision was likely to be futile, as the underlying issues with the marketing campaign would continue to persist.Example 3:

• The athlete had already spent a considerable amount of time and resources in preparation for the championship, but he faced numerous setbacks and injuries towards the end of the competition. Although his supporters pleaded with him to withdraw from the game, he was determined to complete it, stating that he did not want to "throw good money (investment) after bad".

  The phrase "don't throw good money after bad" is used in this context to illustrate the athlete's conviction that he had already invested too much in the competition to abandon it at that point. He was driven by the desire to see his efforts and resources reach their intended fruition, rather than allowing them to go to waste. While this decision was understandable, it also presented considerable risks, as further injury or defeat could further compound his losses.Example 4:

• The struggling startup had already spent significant sums of money on its product development, but it failed to gain momentum in the market. In a bid to rescue the company, the CEO made the decision to invest a considerable sum of money in a complementary product that they believed would give them a competitive edge. However, this move was met with disapproval from some board members, who argued that it was a case of "don't throw good money after bad".

  The expression "don't throw good money after bad" is used in this example to emphasize the risks and uncertainties associated with investing further resources in a failing venture. While the CEO's new product idea had the potential to generate more revenue, there were also considerable risks involved, as it could further deplete the company's resources and delay the company's turnaround process. Therefore, it was crucial for the board members to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this decision before proceeding.

Conclusion

The idiom "don't throw good money after bad" is used to caution someone against wasting resources on something that is already unproductive or unsuccessful. It is often used as a financial warning to avoid making a poor investment or decision.

Origin of "Don't throw good money after bad"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was commonly used in the form of "throwing good money after bad money." This phrase was often used in the context of gambling, where a person would continue to bet money on a losing game, hoping to recoup their losses. The idea behind the idiom is that once money is lost, it is better to cut one's losses rather than continue to invest in something that is unlikely to yield a positive outcome.

Over time, the phrase evolved into its current form of "don't throw good money after bad," which is now used in a wider range of contexts beyond just gambling. It has become a popular saying in the business world, where it is often used to caution against investing more resources into a failing project or company. It is also commonly used in personal finance to warn against making poor spending decisions.

In summary, the idiom "don't throw good money after bad" originated as a warning against continuing to invest in something that is already unproductive or unsuccessful. It serves as a reminder to be cautious with one's resources and to cut losses when necessary.