cannot afford to squander

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot afford to squander" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of not wasting resources, time, or opportunities. Example: "In this competitive market, we cannot afford to squander our limited budget on unnecessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The United States cannot afford to squander this opportunity.

The New York Times

We cannot afford to squander another hectare of land on sprawling, lifeless, car-based housing estates.

The Guardian

More than half our graduates are women, and a country with such woeful productivity levels cannot afford to squander so much talent, training and education.

The Guardian - Business

The Mets simply cannot afford to squander good pitching performances because they have no guarantee of how often they will get them.

The New York Times - Sports

Candidates down in the polls and already running against the political wind cannot afford to squander such opportunities.

Forbes

We cannot afford to squander this support.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We cannot afford to waste another second.

The New York Times

We cannot afford to waste".

Huffington Post

"We cannot afford to waste that opportunity".

Huffington Post

We cannot afford to waste this investment.

Huffington Post

We can't afford to squander resources".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot afford to squander" to emphasize the critical importance of not wasting a resource or opportunity, particularly when the consequences of doing so would be significant.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "cannot afford to squander" in very casual conversation can sound overly formal or dramatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "can't waste" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot afford to squander" functions as a strong assertion of necessity, emphasizing that a particular resource, opportunity, or advantage is too valuable to be wasted. It indicates that the consequences of such waste would be detrimental and unacceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot afford to squander" is a powerful way to convey the critical importance of not wasting something valuable, according to Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts. Alternatives include "cannot waste" and "must not waste". While generally appropriate, avoid using it in very informal settings where it might sound too formal. Remember, this phrase highlights the potential for significant negative consequences if something is wasted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot waste

A more direct synonym for "cannot afford to squander".

must not waste

Emphasizes the obligation to avoid waste.

should not squander

Suggests a recommendation against wasting.

must conserve

Focuses on the importance of preserving resources.

can't let slip

Highlights the danger of missing an opportunity.

should preserve

Similar to 'must conserve', but less forceful.

must capitalize on

Highlights the need to exploit an opportunity fully.

must maximize

Emphasizes optimizing the use of resources or opportunities.

cannot neglect

Indicates the necessity of paying attention to something important.

cannot dismiss

Highlights the need of taking something seriously.

FAQs

What does "cannot afford to squander" mean?

It means that wasting something—whether it's time, resources, or an opportunity—would have serious negative consequences that one wishes to avoid.

How can I use "cannot afford to squander" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize the importance of making the most of something. For example, "We "cannot afford to squander" this opportunity to improve our business."

What are some alternatives to "cannot afford to squander"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot waste", "must not waste", or "can't let slip", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "cannot afford to squander" or "cannot afford to waste"?

Both are correct, but "cannot afford to squander" emphasizes a greater potential loss or a more critical situation than "cannot afford to waste".