go down the plughole

go down the plughole

To fail or be squandered. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. My father's company is now going down the plughole because of the incompetent new CEO. All of our savings have gone down the plughole ever since Jack had his little gambling spree in Las Vegas.
See also: down, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go down the plughole

be unsuccessful, lost, or wasted. informal
See also: down, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a lightning rod for something
  • cook the books
  • cue
  • (right) on cue
  • cook the accounts
  • a/the fish rots from the head down
  • a/the fish stinks from the head down
  • be in the right spot at the right time
  • be had up (for something)
  • be rubbing (one's) hands (with glee)
References in periodicals archive
"The thing that really scares me is if Rafa is lost to the club then the whole thing would go down the plughole. Everything would disappear.
Miracle man Rafa; NEWCASTLE v ARSENAL PREMIER LEAGUE SKY SPORTS, TODAY, KO 1.30PM; SUPER MAC: Pep & his billions may win boss of the year but Benitez deserves the title for what he's done at Toon with just pennies
Mrs May should have another General Election rather than let the country go down the plughole of absurdity.
Powerless May in a Priti awful mess
Get out of the bath now or you will go down the plughole This works when they are tiny.
THE 10 LITTLE WHITE LIES WE TELL OUR CHILDREN
THE football was hardly flowing and a plumber exposed a leak in the defence - but Kris Boyd ensured Rangers' League Cup hopes didn't go down the plughole.
TAPS AFF FOR BOYD; LEAGUE CUP CRUNCH NIGHT .. LEAGUE CUP CRUNCH NIGHT .. LEAGUE CUP CRUNCH NIGHT; Kris double makes difference after plumber Tony gives Rangers something to sink about
Tomorrow: Nine months of all-conquering rugby union will go down the plughole if Newcastle Falcons cannot finish what they started at home to Bedford today.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
But O'Connor, whose group's bath-themed product failed to make a splash with investors, said it was team leader Jane McEvoy who deserved to go down the plughole.
AXED MARIA GETS RUDE AWAKENING
Also, Tory leader David Cameron will today strike a note of fear by saying the nation has a PATRIOTIC duty to vote for him otherwise Britain will go down the plughole.
BROWN WAR ON YOB RULE; EXCLUSIVE
A tough, honest pro who has accepted late notice offers to box without having the favour returned, Reid has seen scheduled English title bouts against Mark Moran and Andy Bell fall through before and a Celtic title clash with Ricky Owen go down the plughole.
Gavin has his eyes on a title home win
Does water really go down the plughole in opposite directions on either side of the equator?
Fantastical trip into the future
I doubt it was a case of them not being able to lose, more that they struggled to accept that a bet should go down the plughole in this utterly avoidable way.
Football: No excuses for putting punters through the hell of dropped hands
'He said: 'You have a lot at stake and don't let it go down the plughole.' I have a lot of people to thank, including Gareth Southgate and a couple of the backroom staff as well.'
Thompson relishing chance of fulfilling Wembley dream
Let's hope this romance doesn't go down the plughole.
Lily the sink! SHE LAUGHS AS PAL ANSWERS CALL OF NATURE.. IN A BASIN!
If Blair does get the chop, mayors could go down the plughole once again.
West Midlands MPs tipped for a seat at Gordon's top table
Watching swirls of black/green sludge go down the plughole I can't remember the last time I had to shower to get rid of mud.
Mud, glorious Dead Sea muda
Housewife Clare Smith is feeling drained after seeing pounds 200,000 go down the plughole.
Clare washes pounds 200,000 down the drain