Go to waste Meaning in English
expression
GOH-tuh-WAYST
goh-TOO-WAYST
Definition
If something goes to waste, it is not used and is therefore wasted, often referring to food, resources, or opportunities.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used about food ('don't let this go to waste'), but also about time, money, talent, etc. Often appears as advice or regret. Informal and used in both spoken and written English. Not the same as 'waste' (the verb); it describes the result, not the action.
Spanish: desperdiciarse - echarse a perderPortuguese (BR): desperdiçar - estragarPortuguese (PT): desperdiçar - estragarChinese (Simplified): 被浪费 - 白白浪费Chinese (Traditional): 被浪費 - 白白浪費Hindi: बर्बाद होनाArabic: يذهب سدى - يضيعBengali: নষ্ট হয়ে যাওয়া - অপচয় হয়ে যাওয়াRussian: пропасть впустую - пойти впустую - уйти в пустуюJapanese: 無駄になる - 無駄にする(結果)Vietnamese: bị lãng phí - bị bỏ phíKorean: 헛되이 되다 - 낭비되다Turkish: ziyan olmak - boşa gitmekUrdu: ضائع ہو جاناIndonesian: terbuang sia-sia - menjadi mubazir
Example Sentences
Don't let the food go to waste.
basic
I hate seeing fresh vegetables go to waste.
basic
We have extra tickets that might go to waste.
basic
All this hard work shouldn't go to waste.
natural
Grab the leftovers before they go to waste.
natural
It’s a shame to let talent go to waste.
natural