waste

be a waste of space (informal)

if you say that someone is a waste of space, you mean that they do not do anything useful and you do not like them. Her husband's a complete waste of space.

See also: space

waste your breath

to tell or ask someone something although this will have no effect. Don't waste your breath. I've already asked her to help and she said no. (often negative) You'd be wasting your breath reporting it to the police - they never look for stolen bikes.

See also: breath

a waste of breath

waste your breath - to tell or ask someone something although this will have no effect. I could try and persuade her to stay, but it would probably be a waste of breath.

See also: breath

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go to waste

to not be used. It's wrong to let good food go to waste. The companies have spent millions of dollars on new equipment that lets nothing go to waste.

lay waste (to something)

to destroy something. Last night, rabbits laid waste to the lettuce I was going to pick today. The army laid waste to the countryside as it moved south.

See also: lay

waste away

1. to gradually become thin and weak. He stopped eating and wasted away until he looked like a shadow.

2. to be damaged or rubbed away by weather. Good soil can waste away quickly if it's not cared for properly.

See also: away

waste your breath

to say something that is likely to be ignored. You'd be wasting your breath reporting it to the police because they don't look for stolen bikes, even expensive ones.

Usage notes: often used in the form don't waste your breath: Don't waste your breath — I've already asked her to help and she said no.

See also: breath

waste no time in doing something

to immediately begin an activity. Caroline wasted no time in tackling her new job. Will came right from the airport to the office and lost no time getting back to work.

See also: time

waste something on someone

to not be noticed or appreciated. I wouldn't waste this material on high school students — they don't have the background to understand it.

Usage notes: often used when speaking of something of special quality: The difference between a really fine French wine and one that's not as good is wasted on me.