Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater

Definitions

Discarding something valuable or useful while trying to get rid of something unwanted or negative
To caution against getting rid of everything in a situation without first evaluating what is worth keeping or saving
Avoiding extremes or overreacting
To advise against making hasty or rash decisions, and instead taking the time to carefully consider all aspects of a situation before acting
Not losing sight of the bigger picture
To remind someone to not lose sight of what is truly important or valuable in a situation, and to not get bogged down by minor details or inconveniences

Examples of Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater

During a company restructuring, the new CEO suggested getting rid of the entire marketing department. The department head protested, saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have some talented and dedicated people here who could be an asset to the company."

The CEO's proposal was to eliminate the entire marketing department because he saw it as ineffective and a waste of resources. The department head argued against this drastic measure by pointing out the valuable employees in the department who could continue to contribute to the company's success if given the opportunity. The idiom "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" suggests that it's possible to keep the useful parts of a situation while getting rid of the less valuable components.
After a recent scandal, some politicians called for the complete abolition of the entire governing body. Others argued, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. While there are undoubtedly corrupt elements, there are still many dedicated and respected officials who deserve to remain in office."

The politicians who wanted to get rid of the entire governing body saw the body as irreparably damaged by the scandal. They believed that the entire organization needed to be dismantled and rebuilt from scratch. However, others pointed out that it would be a mistake to eliminate the entire body because there were still many trustworthy and effective officials who could continue to serve the public. "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" implies that there's value in preserving some aspects of a situation, even when others are problematic or undesirable.
Some critics of a recent movie suggested that the entire franchise should be discontinued because they disliked the last film in the series. Supporters countered, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. While that last movie may not have lived up to expectations, the rest of the series is still entertaining and worth watching."

This use of the idiom relates to the idea that it's possible to have a negative experience or encounter specific problems with one component of a larger whole, but that doesn't necessarily mean that everything associated with that whole is equally disappointing. In this case, the fans who didn't want to throw out the whole series because they disliked the last movie are arguing that the series as a whole still offers significant value and should be preserved.
After a poor performance in a basketball game, some fans called for the entire team to be benched. Others countered, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, the team didn't play well today, but that doesn't mean they're all terrible players. Give them time to regroup and come back stronger."

This example relates to sporting events, but the concept is applicable to other circumstances where a group of people is being collectively blamed for a single negative outcome. In this case, the fans who didn't want to throw out the whole team because of one poor performance were arguing that the team as a whole still had potential and shouldn't be discarded based on a single poor showing. The "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" idiom implies that it's possible to view an entire situation or group of people as more than just the sum of its parts and to be cautious about discounting individuals or entities based on a single problematic moment.
The company's marketing strategy failed to yield any positive results, but we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We need to analyze the strategy and identify its weaknesses to improve it.

This idiom means that we should not reject everything associated with something just because there are some negative aspects. In this example, the company's marketing strategy has not been successful, but it does not mean that we should discard the entire strategy altogether. Instead, we need to examine the strategy and take corrective measures to enhance its effectiveness.
After a bad day at work, I felt like throwing everything away, including the things that matter most to me. But I realized that throwing the baby out with the bathwater would not solve anything. It would only make my situation worse.

This idiom is used when a person wants to completely eliminate everything that is associated with a particular situation, even if it includes valuable things. In this scenario, the speaker was very disappointed with their work performance and felt like disregarding everything related to it. However, they soon recognized that it would not resolve the issue but instead worsen the circumstance.
We cannot just discard the whole research paper because of a few errors. We must revise it and correct the mistakes before presenting it to the audience.

This idiom is used when someone proposes rejecting an entire item or idea due to certain flaws. In this scenario, instead of rejecting the entire research paper because of a few errors, the individual suggests revising it and making necessary edits to present it to the audience.
She feared that she would lose everything if she left her job. However, she realized that leaving the company did not mean she had to abandon her knowledge and experience.

This idiom implies that people might feel like they would lose everything if they leave a particular situation, such as a job. In this scenario, the person is worried about losing everything if she leaves her job; however, she realizes that she does not need to discard her skills and expertise while leaving the company.

Conclusion

The idiom "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" is often used as a cautionary phrase to warn against making hasty or rash decisions without carefully considering all aspects of a situation. It encourages individuals to not discard or dismiss everything in a situation without first evaluating what is valuable and worth keeping. This can apply to various scenarios, from personal relationships to business decisions.

Additionally, the idiom can also be used to advise against extremes or overreacting. It reminds individuals to not lose sight of the bigger picture and to not get bogged down by minor details or inconveniences. This can be especially relevant in high-stress situations where one may be tempted to make impulsive decisions.

Origin of "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in Germany in the 16th century. At that time, it was common for families to bathe in a large tub of water, with the father usually going first, followed by the mother, and then the children. By the time the baby was bathed, the water would be dirty and murky. Therefore, the saying "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" was a literal warning to make sure the baby was not accidentally thrown out with the dirty water.

Over time, the phrase evolved to have a figurative meaning, cautioning against getting rid of something valuable or important while trying to remove something unwanted or negative. It may have also been influenced by the biblical story of King Solomon's judgment, where he suggests splitting a disputed baby in half to determine its true mother. This story is often used as a metaphor for not making rash decisions or losing sight of what is truly important.