garbage in, garbage out

Cultural

This saying points out the fact that a computer can do only what it is programmed to do and is only as good as the data it receives and the instructions it is given. If there is a logical error in software, or if incorrect data are entered, the result will probably be either a wrong answer or a system crash.

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The saying is sometimes shortened to “GIGO” (GUY-go).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is this a classic example of "garbage in garbage out"?

From Salon • Sep. 15, 2018

We know already that although machine learning has huge potential, data sets with ingrained biases will produce biased results — garbage in, garbage out.

From The Verge • Apr. 13, 2018

Not only that, but there’s the garbage in, garbage out factor.

From Washington Times • Oct. 10, 2016

It became a classic case of garbage in, garbage out.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2014

Uh, hello – the computer industry has had a term for this for many years: it’s known as garbage in, garbage out.

From Forbes • Nov. 3, 2014

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023