Throw the baby out with the bathwater

Pro Tip 1/3

Metaphor Origin

The phrase comes from a time when water was scarce, so the baby's bath was last, and dirtiest.

Learning the origin can stop you from throwing out the baby with the bathwater when discussing resource waste.

Pro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

The phrase often implies a careless or thoughtless mistake, not a deliberate choice.

When you fired the team to cut costs, you really threw the baby out with the bathwater.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cautionary Advice

Used as a warning to consider the value of what you're getting rid of.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater by deleting old files without checking their contents.