PhrasesHub

going down the drain

    Definitions

      • deteriorating or being wasted
        Describing a situation or circumstance that is getting progressively worse or being squandered

      • losing value or quality
        Referring to something, such as an investment, that is decreasing in worth or standard

    Examples of going down the drain

    • The company's sales have been going down the drain for the past six months.

      This idiom means that the sales are decreasing rapidly and significantly. Imagine a sink or bathtub draining quickly. Just as water suddenly disappears down the drain, sales are rapidly falling and disappearing.

    • After the CEO's retirement, the company's profits began to go down the drain.

      This idiom can also indicate that a significant change, in this case, the CEO's retirement, has led to a rapid decline. As the sink or bathtub example suggests, a sudden change has caused things to disappear quickly, in this case, profits.

    • The sports team's morale is going down the drain and they're losing every game.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a negative trend or situation, in this case, the team's losing streak. The team's motivation and spirit have declined dramatically, just as water disappears quickly down a drain.

    • The government's efforts to reduce wasteful spending have been going down the drain for years.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a long-standing negative trend or situation. The government's attempts to reduce wasteful spending have been unsuccessful for a long time, just as water can accumulate in a sink or bathtub for an extended period before draining away.

    • Despite our efforts, the company's profits seem to be Going Down The Drain.

      This idiom is used figuratively to describe a situation where something is declining rapidly and steadily, as if being poured down a drain. In this case, it indicates that the company's profits are decreasing at an alarming rate, and it seems impossible to stop or reverse this downward trend.

    • After the recent scandals, the politician's reputation is now Going Down The Drain.

      This idiom can also be used to refer to the reputation or credibility of a person or organization. In this example, it suggests that the revelation of scandals has caused a significant and irreversible damage to the politician's reputation, and it seems impossible to restore his or her former reputation.

    • Our lead in the industry is Going Down The Drain as our competitors catch up.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where something is lost or at risk of being lost due to external factors. In this example, it indicates that the company's lead in the industry is diminishing as its competitors are making progress, and it seems that the company may soon lose its competitive edge.

    • The music industry has seen many new genres Go Down The Drain in recent years due to the rise of digital streaming.

      This idiom can also be used to describe the disappearance or decline of something, especially in the context of the entertainment or cultural industries. In this example, it suggests that many new genres have failed to gain popularity due to the popularity of digital streaming, and as a result, these genres have become obsolete or irrelevant.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "going down the drain" is used to convey the idea of something deteriorating, being wasted, or losing value. It can be applied to various situations, from personal endeavors to broader societal issues. When something is "going down the drain," it suggests a negative trend or outcome, often with a sense of inevitability.

    People use this idiom to express frustration, disappointment, or concern about a situation that is not improving or is being mismanaged. It serves as a warning or lament about the downward trajectory of something, whether it's tangible, like resources or money, or intangible, like morale or reputation.

    Origin of "going down the drain"

    The origin of the idiom "going down the drain" is rooted in the literal image of something being lost or wasted as it goes down a drain. The drain is a symbol of disappearance and irretrievability, as once something goes down it, it is typically out of reach. This imagery has been used metaphorically to describe the loss or deterioration of various things, leading to the popularization of the idiom.

    The idiom likely originated from the practical experience of witnessing things being washed away or lost as they go down a drain, such as water, valuables, or opportunities. Over time, people began to use this visual metaphor to describe broader concepts of deterioration and loss, leading to its incorporation into everyday language. The vivid imagery of something going down a drain has made this idiom a powerful and relatable way to express the idea of decline or waste.