English Reference
Idiom idiom

throw good money after bad


To waste money in a fruitless attempt to recoup losses previously incurred.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“Don't throw good money after bad by fixing that old car.”

CONTEXTUAL

“The project is failing, so stop throwing good money after bad and cut your losses now.”

COMPLEX

“Investors often struggle to admit defeat, choosing instead to throw good money after bad in a desperate attempt to salvage their original investment.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    bad actor

    An individual or entity with a prior criminal conviction, or who has been sanctioned by the court or regulator.

  4. 04

    bad apple

    A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.

  5. 05

    bad books

    Disfavor.

  6. 06

    bad business

    Synonym of bad news (“irritating, troublesome or harmful thing, situation or person”).

  7. 07

    bad company

    The wrong crowd.

  8. 08

    bad egg

    Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.

Last updated August 10, 2026