down the pan

down the pan

Completely and irreversibly wasted, lost, or destroyed. Primarily heard in UK. In an instant, we saw all our hopes for our business go down the pan. All those years of research down the pan. I guess it's back to the drawing board.
See also: down, pan
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • go down the pan
  • get weaving
  • tick
  • dafuq
  • out (of) the window
  • out of the window
  • out the window
  • DAF
  • CTN
  • pan for
References in periodicals archive
Between shootings, countries at war, the behaviour of politicians - especially Conservatives and Labour MPs in our own country - things are going down the pan.
World's gone mad; Letters.
Toilet provision gone down the pan IT IS hard for me to believe that there is not a legal requirement for councils to provide public toilets.
Toilet provision gone down the pan; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
More nurses leaving than starting is a damning indictment of falling morale, with years of training going down the pan when a dream job turns into a nightmare.
Nursing guilt; VOICE OF THE
People took the mercilessly, saying the former Labour leader's career had "gone down the pan" and he's "an expert loo-ser".
Ed's tuned for toilet humour
I spent "I spent 10 years working on a career that could go down the pan if you go on and don't do so well.
Now for my next trick... WHAT'S ON EDITOR GORDON BARR CHATS TO BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT RUNNER-UP JAMIE RAVEN AHEAD OF HIS GIG AT THE TYNE THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE IN NEWCASTLE
This country has gone down the pan big time and I want no more of it.
I'll pack my bags; FEEDBACK
Of course subsequently, while services in Wales are disappearing down the pan at a rate of knots, Carwyn was busy up in Scotland.
Faustian bargain over new M4 section; Views of Wales
But we would respectfully suggest that by decreeing that their workers should only go to the loo at specific times, bosses at United Biscuits, in Aintree, are in danger of seeing morale go down the pan.
Let nature win the day! ECHO
SAM WARBURTON says Rob Howley's men are determined to prove Welsh rugby hasn't "gone down the pan".
TURN WE'LL IT AROUND; Wales will prove team hasn't gone down the pan
The standard of education went down the pan overnight.
The good old days; Your say
"A lot of people leave their coats and handbags in public toilets and on one occasion in Tregaron a cleaner found a fully cooked chicken stuffed down the pan."
Toilets are b-loo-tiful
Decimated by the loss of Platinumlancelot, Bomber Bailey, Glenwood Dream, Royal Honcho and Toomaline Jack this year, fresh blood is urgently required to save this exhilarating branch of the sport from being flushed down the pan.
GETTING IT OFF MY CHEST
But PSV wouldn't sell, Leeds's fortunes went down the pan and Van Bommel eventually moved to Barcelona.
Leeds chased dirty Van man; The MOLE
And on that basis I would like to give my firm support to Gordon Brown, he's doing a fine job, and anyone who says the economy is down the pan and we're mired in two wars we can't win is a moaning minny.
Nice one PM
REAL MADRID'S season is fast going down the pan but the greedy Galacticos have been more concerned with bonus payments this week.
World of Football: Real chancers