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Down the Pan

What Does "Down the Pan" Mean?

homeidiomsDown the Pan
"Down the pan" is an English idiom. It means "wasted or ruined."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "down the pan" used in a sentence:
  • All our savings went down the pan.
  • His reputation went down the pan after the allegations.
  • I spent weeks on that project, and now it's all down the pan.
meaning for down the pan

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Down the Pan" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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