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Down the drain

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

3 November 2025

Down the drain

We use this expression to say that someone has wasted something - normally time, money or effort.

Written: No

Spoken: No

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

You bought a new outfit specially - and now they have cancelled the wedding!

I know. That's £200 down the drain.

Example 2

We all worked so hard preparing for the conference, now we can't go?

Yes. That's a week's work down the drain.

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