draining cash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draining cash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where money is being spent or lost rapidly, often in a financial context. Example: "The unexpected repairs on the building are really draining cash from our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Worryingly, the European Central Bank has been draining cash from euro-area markets.

The Economist

In the meantime, the primary battle between Mr. Romney and his rivals continues, draining cash for all of them.

The New York Times

In addition to cutting the 22,000 jobs, it has divested itself of many businesses that were draining cash.

The New York Times

But in recent months, capital flows have reversed, effectively draining cash from the economy.A less-noted but possibly more potent boost to the economy is the pledge of Li Keqiang, the premier, to give extra money to China Development Bank.

The Economist

As with the other major carriers, he explained, the steep decline in airline traffic after last week's terrorist attacks is draining cash from company coffers at "an alarming rate".

The New York Times

In a civil suit filed in a state court on Tuesday, Pennsylvania's Insurance Department accused Deloitte & Touche and one of its actuaries, Jan A. Lommele, of inflating the insurer's financial statements by $1 billion and filing misleading reports as Reliance's executives were draining cash from the troubled insurer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It will ultimately drain cash from the business.

Harvard Business Review

For one, Sears has hefty pension and retirement burdens, which will continue to drain cash.

The New York Times

It's a costly accounting strategy that may drain cash, leaving firms more vulnerable to the economic turmoil.

The New York Times

More than anything else, an inflated payroll drained cash from the company and kept us from making a profit.

The New York Times

All County was not the only company the Trumps set up to drain cash from Fred Trump's empire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial difficulties, use "draining cash" to highlight the immediate and ongoing impact on available funds. This phrase is particularly effective when discussing the consequences of poor investments, excessive spending, or unexpected costs.

Common error

While "draining cash" is appropriate for news and business contexts, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "spending too much" or "running low on money" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draining cash" functions primarily as a verb phrase. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it typically describes an action that leads to the depletion of monetary resources within a specific context, such as a business, economy, or personal budget.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "draining cash" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the rapid spending or loss of money, particularly in financial or business contexts. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media sources. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of financial depletion and concern, and Ludwig examples show related terms include "depleting funds" and "burning through cash". When using this phrase, consider your audience and context, opting for simpler language in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Burning through cash

Conveys rapid spending in an unsustainable way.

Depleting funds

Focuses on the gradual reduction of funds, similar to "draining cash" but less immediate.

Bleeding funds

Suggests a slow and persistent loss of money, often due to ongoing expenses.

Siphoning off funds

Implies a clandestine or unauthorized removal of money.

Eating into reserves

Suggests that the current spending is affecting the safety net represented by the reserves.

Reducing liquidity

Focuses on the reduction of liquid assets, not necessarily just cash.

Depleting resources

Broader than just cash, encompassing other valuable assets.

Consuming capital

Describes the use of capital for operational expenses or investments.

Liquidating assets

Refers to converting assets into cash, often to cover debts or losses.

Wasting money

Implies that the cash is being spent in a non-efficient way.

FAQs

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

You can use "draining cash" to describe a situation where resources are being depleted rapidly. For instance: "The unexpected repairs on the building are really draining cash from our budget."

What are some alternatives to "draining cash"?

Alternatives include "depleting funds", "siphoning off funds", or "burning through cash", each with slight differences in connotation.

Is "draining cash" a formal or informal phrase?

"Draining cash" is suitable for neutral to professional contexts like news reporting or business discussions. It's less appropriate for very informal settings.

What's the difference between "draining cash" and "depleting funds"?

"Draining cash" suggests a more active and ongoing process, while "depleting funds" can imply a more gradual or passive reduction.