How Do You Spell DOWN THE DRAIN?

Pronunciation: [dˌa͡ʊn ðə dɹˈe͡ɪn] (IPA)

The phrase "down the drain" is commonly used to describe a situation where something has been wasted or lost. The spelling of this phrase is fairly straightforward, with "down" being pronounced as /daʊn/ and "the drain" as /ðə dreɪn/. The "d" sound in "down" is voiced, while the "t" sound in "the" is unvoiced. The word "drain" has a long "a" sound in the second syllable, represented by the IPA symbol /eɪ/. In all, the phrase "down the drain" is a simple but effective way to describe a frustrating situation.

DOWN THE DRAIN Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "down the drain" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that has been wasted, lost, or ruined. It carries a negative connotation, implying a sense of irretrievable loss or squandering. It is often used in colloquial language to describe situations when effort, time, money, or resources have been fruitlessly or carelessly expended, with no tangible or useful outcome.

   The expression "down the drain" originates from the imagery of flushing something irrevocably into the plumbing system and subsequent drainage. The figurative meaning suggests an irreversible outcome, as once something is gone down the drain, it cannot be easily retrieved.

   For instance, when referring to financial matters, the phrase "down the drain" signifies a loss of investment or money squandered with no return. In the context of personal relationships, it represents wasted time or emotional energy that resulted in a failed outcome or breakup. Similarly, when used in professional or academic contexts, the expression emphasizes efforts, projects, or achievements that have been rendered ineffective or diminished in value.

   Overall, "down the drain" serves as a metaphorical representation of loss or dissipation, highlighting the inability to recover or salvage what has been wasted or ruined.

Common Misspellings for DOWN THE DRAIN

• sown the drain
• xown the drain
• cown the drain
• fown the drain
• rown the drain
• eown the drain
• diwn the drain
• dkwn the drain
• dlwn the drain
• dpwn the drain
• d0wn the drain
• d9wn the drain
• doqn the drain
• doan the drain
• dosn the drain
• doen the drain
• do3n the drain
• do2n the drain
• dowb the drain
• dowm the drain

Idioms with the word DOWN THE DRAIN

• down the gurgler, at down the drain The idiom "down the gurgler" (alternatively, "down the drain") refers to something that has been wasted, ruined, or lost completely. It is often used to describe a situation or effort that has ended in failure or disappointment, where all efforts, resources, or progress have gone to waste.
• (go) down the drain The idiom "(go) down the drain" means that something, such as time, effort, or money, has been wasted or lost without any positive outcome. It implies that the value or effort put into something has been completely wasted or irretrievably lost, similar to going down a drain from which it cannot be recovered.
• pour money down the drain The idiom "pour money down the drain" means to waste or spend money unwisely on something that is ultimately futile or ineffective. It implies that the money is being wasted without achieving any meaningful or useful outcome.
• down the drain "Wasted or lost, typically due to a failure or mistake."

Similar spelling words for DOWN THE DRAIN

• downloading,
• downstream,
• withdrawn,
• countering.