# diminishing returns

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/diminishing-returns
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A condition in which additional inputs into an organization, project or process produce progressively fewer or lower-quality additional outputs, and may, in extreme cases, cause the total quantity or quality of outputs to decrease.

## Examples

- Working longer hours often leads to diminishing returns.
- We studied for six hours, but eventually hit a point of diminishing returns where we stopped learning anything new.
- The company increased its advertising budget significantly, yet the campaign suffered from diminishing returns as the market became saturated and consumer interest plateaued.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.