IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishgo down the drain
Meaning: To be wasted or lost, or to fail completely.
Example: “All our planning went down the drain when the venue canceled.”
Origin: Whatever goes down the drain is gone for good. The figurative use is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Dutch: in het water vallen Literally: To fall in the water
More English idioms
- cherry-pick To choose only the best or most convenient items.
- kick it up a notch To increase effort, intensity or excitement.
- take matters into one's own hands To act oneself because others have failed to.
- fight fire with fire To respond to an attack with the same methods.
- under lock and key Securely locked away.
- all in one's head Imagined rather than real, or a matter of attitude.
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