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

See Examples For:

down the drain

Most people pour the leftover brine down the drain without a second thought.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

Commentators draw parallels with other intractable conflicts, and count the taxpayer money they say has spiraled down the drain.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026

In the documents seen by the BBC, assessments of RAF Upper Heyford describe 'firefighting chemicals' washed down the drain.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

But when the pronoun isn’t alone, instinct goes down the drain, and grammar with it.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner