How to Pronounce "pour down the drain"
expression
ˈpɔɹ/ /ˈdaʊn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɹeɪn
POR DOWN thuh (or thee) DRAYN
pˈɔː/ /dˈaʊn/ /ðə, ði/ /dɹˈeɪn
PAW DOWN thuh (or thee) DRAYN
Definition
To waste something completely, as if throwing it away with no benefit. Often used for money, time, or effort.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɔɹ/ /ˈdaʊn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɹeɪn
British English
pˈɔː/ /dˈaʊn/ /ðə, ði/ /dɹˈeɪn
Simplified Pronunciation
US
POR DOWN thuh (or thee) DRAYN
UK
PAW DOWN thuh (or thee) DRAYN
Listen in Context
She felt like all her hard work was poured down the drain.
If you quit now, all the money will be poured down the drain.
Don’t pour your chances down the drain by being late.
All that training just got poured down the drain when the event was canceled.