down the drain

down the drain  (British, American & Australian informal) also down the gurgler (Australian informal)

if work or money goes down the drain, it is wasted Then our funding was withdrawn and two years' work went down the drain. Say he gives up his training, that's four thousand pounds down the gurgler.

See also: drain

---

down the drain

wasted or lost down the toilet I'm scared I'm going to be out of a job, and my 12 years of experience will be down the drain.

Usage notes: often used with go: We cannot afford to let our train system go down the drain.

See also: drain