down the drain

phrase

: to a state of being wasted or irretrievably lost
All their hard work went down the drain.

Examples of down the drain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To deodorize and tackle slow-draining sinks, sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain before pouring a generous amount of apple cider vinegar. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026 Double-Bag Leak-Prone Items Pour non-greasy liquids down the drain or into a jar to dispose of them. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 So, that's a thousand dollars down the drain for a brand-new mother. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Wipe used brushes with a rag and peel off old paint instead of washing it down the drain. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down the drain

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of down the drain was in 1930

Rhymes for down the drain

See All Rhymes for down the drain

Browse Nearby Words

downtake
down the drain
down the hatch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Down the drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down%20the%20drain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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