Cut your losses

verb phrase

To stop an activity where you're losing or failing, to prevent more loss or failure in the future.

After losing a significant amount of money in the stock market, John decided to cut his losses and sell his shares.

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Often used when discussing investments or business endeavors that aren't going well.

The cafe was not making profit, so the owners decided to cut their losses and close it.

Pro Tip 2/3

Suggests making a prompt decision to prevent further loss, without waiting to see if things improve.

Our ad campaign was ineffective, so we cut our losses and tried a new strategy.

Pro Tip 3/3

Applies to situations beyond financial loss, like wasting time or effort on something unfruitful.

I spent too long trying to fix the old car and eventually cut my losses and bought a new one.

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