throw the baby out with the bath water
Related to throw the baby out with the bath water: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, Idioms
throw the baby out with the bath
To discard something valuable or important while disposing of something considered worthless, especially an outdated idea or form of behavior. The phrase is often used in the negative as a warning against such thoughtless behavior. Why are we scrapping the entire project? Come on, don't throw the baby out with the bath. The main reforms of the movement were desperately needed, but I'm afraid we threw the baby out with the bath in many cases.
See also: baby, bath, out, throw
throw the baby out with the bathwater
To discard something valuable or important while disposing of something considered worthless, especially an outdated idea or form of behavior. The phrase is often used in the negative as a warning against such thoughtless behavior. Why are we scrapping the entire project? Come on, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The main reforms of the movement were desperately needed, but I'm afraid we threw the baby out with the bathwater in many cases.
See also: baby, bathwater, out, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
throw the baby out with the bath water
If someone throws the baby out with the bath water, they reject an idea completely, even though some parts of it are good. Even if we don't necessarily like the whole scheme, we're not going to throw the baby out with the bath water. In rejecting traditional values, they have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
See also: baby, bath, out, throw, water
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
throw the baby out with the bath water
Slang To discard something valuable along with something not desired, usually unintentionally.
See also: baby, bath, out, throw, water
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- a recipe for disaster
- a recipe for disaster, success, etc.
- a recipe for (something)
- a fast talker
- a horse of another
- a horse of another color
- a horse of another colour
- a/the feel of (something)