Phrase Finder

Down the pan

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Down the pan'?

If something has gone ‘down the pan’ it is wasted and unrecoverable.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Down the pan'?

The pan is the lavatory pan. This phrase is of UK origin and is fairly recent. The first record of it in print is in the 1961 edition of Eric Partridge’s A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English:

“Down the pan… A Cockney equivalent of down the drain, ruined with no chances left.”

The US has an equivalent expression – ‘down the tubes‘.

Related phrases and meanings

Browse more Phrases

About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Down the pan

Phrases & Meanings

A-Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ

Categories

American Animals Australian Bible Body Colour Conflict Death Devil Dogs Emotions Euphemism Family Fashion Food French Horses ‘Jack’ Luck Money Military Music Names Nature Nautical Numbers Politics Religion Shakespeare Stupidity Entertainment Weather Women Work