The phrase conveys strong disapproval and should be used carefully to avoid offending someone. When he failed to deliver on his promises again, his colleagues muttered that he was a waste of space.
Pro Tip 2/3
Colloquial Usage
Mainly used in casual or informal situations, and rarely in formal contexts. In the staff room, they joked that the broken coffee machine was a waste of space.
Pro Tip 3/3
Emotional Impact
This phrase can hurt feelings; use it to express frustration, but be cautious about the listener's emotions. Feeling down, she whispered to her friend that she felt like a waste of space.