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Throw the baby out with the bathwater

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Metaphor OriginPlay
The phrase comes from a time when water was scarce, so the baby's bath was last, and dirtiest. SlideLearning the origin can stop you from throwing out the baby with the bathwater when discussing resource waste.
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Negative ConnotationPlay
The phrase often implies a careless or thoughtless mistake, not a deliberate choice. SlideWhen you fired the team to cut costs, you really threw the baby out with the bathwater.
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Cautionary AdvicePlay
Used as a warning to consider the value of what you're getting rid of. SlideDon't throw the baby out with the bathwater by deleting old files without checking their contents.