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Synonyms

go to waste

Idioms  

  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

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

If the Bills acted drastically, it was because of a lingering fear that they were letting Allen’s prime years go to waste.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Unable to make it to the market, his precious merchandise will likely go to waste.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

But even if we are in a bubble, the hope from Silicon Valley is investments being made now won't necessary go to waste.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

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

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2025

He’s set his alarm for eight o’clock, not wanting the day to go to waste.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.