It is no use throwing good money after bad.

Do not keep spending sound resources on an earlier loss when further investment is unlikely to repair it. The saying urges a person to stop compounding damage rather than letting money already lost dictate the next decision.

It is commonly applied to failing ventures, broken purchases, or costly plans, but its principle can extend beyond cash. What has already been spent cannot by itself justify more spending; the likely value of continuing should be assessed afresh.

Use it to advise ending further expenditure on an unsuccessful effort after considering whether any realistic recovery remains. It cautions against escalating commitment, rather than requiring every troubled project to be abandoned immediately.