Good money after bad

Definitions

• wasted effort or resources
  Describes a situation where one continues to invest more time, money, or energy into something that is not providing any return or benefit, despite knowing that it is unlikely to improve.

• futile attempts to fix something
  Refers to trying to fix a problem or situation that is beyond repair, often resulting in additional expenses or negative consequences.

• poor decision-making
  Indicates a pattern of making poor decisions, especially in regards to financial matters, and continuing to make the same mistakes despite knowing the negative outcome.

Examples of Good money after bad

• Despite losing a significant amount of money on a failed marketing campaign, the company decided to invest more resources in a similar strategy, hoping for better results. This is an example of "good money after bad."

  The expression "good money after bad" refers to continuing to invest in a failing venture, hoping to recoup some of the losses already incurred. It implies that the initial investment, known as "bad money," has been wasted, but there is still some hope that future investments, known as "good money," may result in a profit. However, the risks involved in pouring good money after bad are high, as the venture may not recover and the additional investments may result in further losses. Thus, the idiom is often used to describe a risky and potentially futile decision.

• The company continued to invest resources into a money-losing product, hoping for a turnaround, despite mounting losses. This is an example of "good money after bad" because the company is persistently investing more money into a failing product, hoping for a return on investment.

  The idiom "good money after bad" refers to investing more money into a losing situation, hoping that better results will come. It implies that the previous investments, or "bad" money, have not yielded the desired returns, but the investor is still willing to put "good" money into the same situation. The expression can be seen as a metaphor for continuing to pursue a losing strategy, despite the negative outcomes thus far. The origins of the idiom can be traced back to the 18th century, where it referred to the practice of taking a small amount of good money to pay off a creditor who had been provided with bad money, or money which could not be repaid.

Conclusion

The idiom "good money after bad" is often used to describe a situation where one is investing time, money, or effort into something that is not providing any return or benefit. It can also refer to futile attempts to fix a problem or poor decision-making. In all cases, it highlights the idea of wasted effort and resources.

Origin of "Good money after bad"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, where it was commonly used in the form of "throwing good money after bad." This phrase was used to describe a gambler who continues to bet more money on a losing hand, hoping to recover their initial investment. Over time, the phrase evolved into its current form and became a commonly used idiom in the English language.

The idiom may also have roots in the concept of sunk cost fallacy, which refers to the tendency to continue investing in something that has already cost time or money, even when it is clear that it will not be successful. This idea of throwing good money after bad is based on the belief that the more one invests, the more likely they are to see a positive return, even if that is not the case.

Examples of this idiom can be found in various contexts, such as business, personal finances, and relationships. It serves as a cautionary reminder to not continue investing in something that is not yielding any positive results, and to instead cut losses and move on.