Idiom
up the spout
Meanings
Wasted, ruined, or lost with no realistic hope of getting it back.
Failed completely; no longer workable or likely to succeed (for plans, deals, or projects).
Definition
Wasted, ruined, or lost with no chance of being recovered.
If something is up the spout, it has gone badly wrong and is effectively ruined or lost. In British English it often refers to money that has been wasted or is unlikely to be recovered. It can also describe plans or efforts that have failed completely. The phrase is informal and is most common in the UK.
Examples
- All that money I spent on the concert tickets is up the spout because it was cancelled.
- If this deal falls through, months of work will be up the spout.
- My savings went up the spout after the car needed major repairs.
- Without that file, the whole project is up the spout.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it for something that is merely delayed, but it usually means a total loss or failure.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.