PhrasesHub

Throw good money after bad

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • waste resources
        Refer to the act of continuing to invest in something that is already proving to be unsuccessful, leading to further loss

    Examples of Throw good money after bad

    • Despite losing money on the project for several months, the company's executives decided to "throw good money after bad" by investing more funds into it.

      This idiom means to continue to spend money on a losing venture, despite the fact that it has already lost money or is unlikely to succeed. In this example, the company is essentially betting more money on a losing horse, hoping that it will eventually pay off. However, this can be a risky move, as it may lead to even greater losses.

    • The artist spent thousands of dollars on a marketing campaign for her album, but it failed to chart. Determined not to give up, she decided to "throw good money after bad" by investing in another promotional effort.

      This example illustrates how the idiom can be used in relation to personal goals or projects, rather than just a business venture. Here, the artist is pouring more money into promoting her album, in the hopes that it will finally gain recognition and success. However, this kind of persistence can also be seen as fate or stubbornness, as it may lead to further disappointment and financial losses.

    • The struggling startup received a significant investment from a prominent venture capitalist, but the company continued to lose money. Feeling the pressure, the CEO decided to "throw good money after bad" by taking on more debt.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a risky financial decision, such as taking out a loan or investing in debt. When a company is losing money, taking on more debt may seem like a desperate move, but it can also lead to even more financial trouble if the company is unable to generate enough revenue to cover its expenses.

    • The athlete suffered a series of losses in competition, but his coach remained optimistic and urged him to "throw good money after bad" by hiring a new trainer.

      This example highlights the idiom's use as a metaphor for investing time and resources into a situation or person that is not currently working out. In this case, the athlete's coach is urging him to try a new approach, in the hopes that it will eventually lead to success. However, this kind of investment can involve a significant amount of time and resources, and may not always produce the desired results.

    • Despite initial losses, the company remains optimistic and decided to throw good money after bad by investing more funds in their failing product line.

      This idiom is used when a person continues to spend money on something that has already proven to be unsuccessful. In this example, the company has already experienced losses, but they choose to invest more money in hopes that the product line will eventually become profitable. It is a risky decision, as it is akin to throwing good money away on a bad investment.

    • The company continued to invest heavily in their failing product, even though it was clear that it was not profitable. This was an example of throwing good money after bad.

      The phrase "throwing good money after bad" is used to describe a situation where someone invests additional resources, such as money or time, into a project that is already failing or not producing a positive return. This idiom implies that the initial investment was bad, and continuing to invest only compounds the negative outcome. In this example, the company's investment in the failing product was a bad decision, and continuing to invest more money into it is a further investment in a losing proposition.

    • Sarah had already spent thousands of dollars on her boyfriend's band, but they still couldn't seem to make a name for themselves. Sarah knew that their lackluster performances and poor promotion efforts were not going to lead to success, but she continued to support the band financially. She was throwing good money after bad.

      In this example, the idiom is being used to describe a personal relationship, but the meaning and implication of the phrase remain the same. Sarah's monetary investment in her boyfriend's band has already been unsuccessful, yet she continues to fund it. This illustrates the idea of wasting additional resources on a situation that has already proven unfruitful.

    • The CEO defended the company's decision to buy out a competitor, despite the fact that the competitor's sales and revenue were declining. This was a case of throwing good money after bad.

      In this example, the CEO's justification for the purchase is questionable, as the target company's financial performance was already negative. By continuing to invest in a business that is failing, the CEO is essentially throwing previously invested resources away, without any guaranteed return on investment. This is the meaning behind the phrase "throwing good money after bad."


    Conclusion

    The idiom "throw good money after bad" is used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task that is not likely to result in any positive outcome or benefit. It also refers to the act of wasting resources by continuing to invest in something that is already proving to be unsuccessful, leading to further loss.

    Origin of "Throw good money after bad"

    The origin of the idiom "throw good money after bad" can be traced back to the world of gambling. In gambling, it is common for people to continue betting money even when they are losing, hoping to recoup their losses. This behavior is often seen as irrational and is likened to throwing good money after bad. Over time, the expression has been adopted into everyday language to describe any situation where someone continues to invest in something unproductive or futile. The idiom serves as a cautionary reminder to stop wasting resources on a lost cause and to cut one's losses. For example, if a business venture is not yielding any profit, it would be unwise to continue investing in it, as it would be like throwing good money after bad.