down the drain

Idioms  

1. On the way to being lost or wasted; disappearing. For example, Buying new furniture when they can't take it with them is just pouring money down the drain, or During the Depression huge fortunes went down the drain. This metaphoric term alludes to water going down a drain and being carried off. [Colloquial; c. 1920] For a synonym, see down the tubes.

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Example Sentences

"That's when everything went down the drain," she said.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Once rinsed down the drain, these fibers can enter wastewater systems.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

Not long ago, a woman stood at the sink and watched a year of her life run down the drain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Every year, about 350 million liters goes down the drain, costing businesses over A$580 million to dispose of it and wasting some of the resources it takes to make milk.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2024

Before Seth could react, the creature squirmed down the drain.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull