money pit

USAGE SUMMARY

"money pit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something, such as a project or investment, that consumes a lot of money without providing any significant return or benefit. Example: "The old house they purchased turned out to be a complete money pit, requiring constant repairs and renovations that drained their savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Call it MPC, the Money Pit Channel.

The New York Times - Arts

It's also a money pit.

The Guardian - Travel

Hulu isn't a money pit at all.

The Economist

It was a money pit on wheels.

The New York Times

A fourth asserted: "Haiti is a money pit.

The New York Times

It proved a money pit and closed two years later.

The New York Times

Historically, atomic energy has been a money pit.

The Economist

For Ford, Jaguar has been a glamorous money pit.

The Economist

"AmazonFresh is an enormous money pit, that's my opinion.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's the money pit of the insurgency," said Capt.

The New York Times

Most people think of their home as a money pit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "money pit", ensure the context clearly indicates a continuous and unsustainable drain on resources, not just a one-time expense.

Common error

Avoid using "money pit" for investments that have the potential for future returns, even if they require significant initial capital. It's more appropriate for situations where costs consistently outweigh benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "money pit" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something that consumes a large amount of money without producing profit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Reference

6%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "money pit" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe something that consumes a lot of money without generating substantial returns. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as verified by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news and media. While the phrase carries a neutral register, its purpose often involves expressing frustration over financial losses. Alternative expressions include "financial drain" and "cash guzzler". Therefore, when deploying "money pit", ensure that you indicate a constant and unsustainable drain of resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial drain

Focuses on the draining aspect of financial resources.

bottomless pit of money

Emphasizes the endless need for funds.

cash guzzler

Highlights the consumption of cash.

financial black hole

Suggests that money disappears without a trace.

economic sinkhole

Implies an inability to recover the investment.

costly venture

Highlights the expense involved.

losing investment

Focuses on the lack of profit.

unprofitable enterprise

Highlights the absence of profit in the venture.

expensive burden

Emphasizes the weight and cost.

fiscal liability

Focuses on the negative financial impact.

FAQs

How can I use "money pit" in a sentence?

You can say, "Renovating the old house turned out to be a real "money pit", with unexpected repairs constantly popping up".

What are some alternatives to saying "money pit"?

Consider using phrases like "financial drain", "bottomless pit of money", or "cash guzzler" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "money pit" a formal or informal expression?

"Money pit" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In more formal contexts, consider using terms like "fiscal liability" or "unprofitable enterprise".

What's the difference between "money pit" and "investment"?

An investment is typically made with the expectation of future returns, whereas a "money pit" implies continuous expenses without a reasonable expectation of profitability. An investment can become a "money pit" if it consistently fails to deliver returns.