time down the drain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time down the drain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that time has been wasted or spent on something unproductive. Example: "After spending hours on that project with no results, I felt like all my time went down the drain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And money going down the drain.

The New York Times - Books

Dump that sentence down the drain.

HuffPost

And until you gain that much needed clarity, you'll be throwing time and money down the drain all while reaching no one... How well do you know your ideal client?

Huffington Post

Swish it around strongly a few times, then pour down the drain.

WikiHow

In an efficient system, each gallon of water can cycle through the tower five or more times before being sent down the drain.

Los Angeles Times

And of course there was nothing more repellent than the synthesizer, so it was really time to sweep all that down the drain.

The Guardian - Music

Hence the decision to start pouring money into a subsidised Airbus in an attempt to buy a larger piece of the airframe business.For a long time it looked like money down the drain.

The Economist

The simplicity of the message — how energy and exuberance swirl down the drain of time — is striking.

The New Yorker

I got another plastic bag from my car, emptied it of dirty laundry, wrapped it around my arm, and, holding the cobra by the tail, tried to stick my hand further down the drain this time, with no success.

Vice

And the frightening aspect isn't so much the use of the chemicals, but the cumulative effect, because we use so many different products, and the chemical soup that we wash down the drain every time we shower or clean ourselves.

WikiHow

I looked at all the times when the most water went down the drain in my house, and found that the three most common points were at the shower, the kitchen sink, and the toilet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time down the drain" to emphasize the feeling of frustration or disappointment associated with wasted time, particularly when efforts yield no results.

Common error

Avoid using "time down the drain" literally; it's an idiomatic expression for wasted time, not a physical description of time flowing away.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time down the drain" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe situations where time has been wasted or spent on unproductive activities. It carries a negative connotation, implying frustration or disappointment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time down the drain" is an idiomatic expression used to convey the idea of wasted or unproductive time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is best suited for neutral to informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. While there are more formal alternatives like "wasted time" or "time squandered", "time down the drain" effectively communicates a sense of frustration and disappointment when time is ineffectively used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wasted time

Focuses directly on the concept of time being used ineffectively.

Time lost

A simple and direct way to express that time has been irretrievably spent without gain.

Misspent time

Suggests that the time was used poorly or unwisely.

Time squandered

Emphasizes the careless loss of time.

Time and energy wasted

Broadens the scope to include both time and energy as resources that have been ineffectively used.

Unproductive hours

Highlights the lack of output or results during that time.

Futile endeavor

Stresses the pointlessness of the activity and the wasted time.

Fruitless efforts

Shifts the focus to the lack of positive outcomes from the time invested.

Gone to waste

A more general expression indicating that something, in this case time, has been ineffectively used.

Abortive attempt

Highlights a failed attempt, where time and effort were spent in vain.

FAQs

How can I use "time down the drain" in a sentence?

You can use "time down the drain" to describe situations where effort and time were spent without achieving a desired outcome. For example, "After spending hours on that project with no results, I felt like all my time went "down the drain"".

What's a more formal alternative to "time down the drain"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "wasted time", "unproductive hours", or "time squandered" instead of "time "down the drain"".

Is it correct to say "money down the drain" instead of "time down the drain"?

Yes, "money "down the drain"" is a common and similar idiom, but it refers to wasted money rather than wasted time. The choice depends on whether you are talking about wasted time or wasted money.

What does "feeling like time is down the drain" imply?

Feeling like time is "down the drain" implies a sense of frustration and regret over time that has been used ineffectively or without achieving a desired result. It suggests a loss of potential and a feeling of helplessness.