go to waste

1. Fail to be used or taken advantage of. For example, I hate to see such talent go to waste, or We bought so much food that some will be going to waste. [c. 1500]

Example Sentences

And electricity produced by such renewables can go to waste unless it can be stored and then delivered at a time when it's needed, such as everyone turning on the lights in the evening.

From BBC

Fareshare redistributes to charities and community groups food that would otherwise go to waste.

From BBC

The Bay Area’s White Pony Express salvages tons of food that would otherwise go to waste and uses it to feed the needy.

From Los Angeles Times

They have also pledged £13m to a dozen food charities across England to "fight food poverty", by redistributing food from farms which might otherwise go to waste.

From BBC

It let Ohtani’s late-game heroics go to waste.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blow 
• consume 
• deplete 
• dissipate 
• divert 
• drain 
• exhaust 
• lavish 
• lose 
• misuse 
• squander 
• undermine