down the drain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Late in the film, things are at their darkest: a friendship has been torn apart, and the band is spiraling down the drain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Every year, about 350 million liters goes down the drain, costing businesses over A$580 million to dispose of it and wasting some of the resources it takes to make milk.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2024

As you shower and brush your teeth, run your coffeemaker and water your houseplants, you’ll be reusing drops that only recently went down the drain.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2024

A wasted journey, hundreds of quid down the drain, and feeling more than a little gutted.

From BBC • May 2, 2024

Now, in the early morning privacy of the bathroom, Matilda unscrewed the cap of her father's oil of violets and tipped three-quarters of the contents down the drain.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl