cash drain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cash drain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that consistently consumes financial resources without providing adequate returns. Example: "The new project turned out to be a cash drain, leaving the company struggling to maintain its budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

China suffers a lull in manufacturing and its biggest weekly cash drain ever.

The New York Times

"For Google, Android is a cash drain," said James Faucette, an analyst with Pacific Crest Securities.

The New York Times - Tech

"What could have turned Palm into a household name turned into a massive cash drain," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

One young woman, who had just had a baby, found the child a "cash drain" and a "time drain".

The New Yorker

Mr Combes expects them to switch from being a cash drain of €115m in 2012 to become a fount of over €250m in two years' time.

The Economist

After the Deepwater Horizon accident in April 2010, BP faced a liquidity squeeze, a huge cash drain from litigation payments and the threat of a takeover.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Greece denied that it would impose capital controls to stop cash draining out of its banks, hours before key bailout talks with eurozone finance ministers.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, despite having no sources of income, and two homes that are cash drains and worth less than their mortgages, Mr. and Mrs. Altomare manage to keep their three cars.

The New York Times

And it must prove that it can carry out its primary function – raising money from the World Cup and distributing it to develop football throughout the world – without pools of that cash draining away.

The Guardian - Sport

Are You Wasting Money On These 10 Business Cash Drains?

Forbes

Council Post: Are You Wasting Money On These 10 Business Cash Drains?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business performance, use "cash drain" to clearly indicate where money is being lost without adequate return. This term is particularly effective when analyzing specific projects or departments within a company.

Common error

While "cash drain" is widely understood, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or critical. Instead, opt for simpler terms like "expense" or "cost" unless you specifically want to emphasize the negative financial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cash drain" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something that consistently consumes financial resources, without adequate returns. For example, "The project became a cash drain."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cash drain" is a frequently used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a continuous outflow of money without sufficient return. Ludwig AI highlights that it's a term effectively used to identify financial losses in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and business sectors, as shown by Ludwig, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for professional discussions. Alternatives such as "financial burden" or "money pit" can provide nuanced variations, depending on the specific emphasis required. Using "cash drain" judiciously, while avoiding overuse in casual settings, can effectively pinpoint and address financial inefficiencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial burden

Focuses on the negative impact on finances, emphasizing the weight or difficulty it imposes.

money pit

Emphasizes the unending nature of the expense, suggesting that money is continuously lost.

bleeding money

Conveys a sense of rapid and uncontrolled financial loss.

loss leader

Refers to a product or service sold at a loss to attract customers, with the hope of making profits elsewhere.

revenue sink

Highlights the fact that the entity consumes revenue without generating returns.

financial black hole

Suggests that resources disappear without a trace or any prospect of return.

economic liability

Indicates a source of financial disadvantage or obligation.

fiscal drag

Emphasizes the effect of slowing down economic growth due to financial losses.

expenditure problem

Focuses on the aspect of spending exceeding the returns.

cost overrun

Specifically refers to instances where project costs exceed the initial budget.

FAQs

How can I use "cash drain" in a sentence?

You can use "cash drain" to describe something that uses a lot of money without providing a good return. For example: "The failing marketing campaign became a significant "cash drain" for the company."

What are some alternatives to "cash drain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "financial burden", "money pit", or "loss leader" to describe something that is costing a lot of money.

Is "cash drain" a formal or informal term?

"Cash drain" is suitable for professional and news contexts. However, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations, where simpler terms like "expensive" or "costly" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "cash drain" and "financial burden"?

"Cash drain" specifically implies a continuous outflow of money without adequate return, while "financial burden" refers more broadly to something that is difficult to afford or manage financially. A "cash drain" is a type of "financial burden".