WordGarden.iobathwater
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɑːθwɔːtə/
US
- /ˈbæθwɔtər/uncountableusuallynoun
Meanings
Noun
water in a bath or tub, especially after someone has bathed
Beyond the definition
Literally, bathwater is the soapy water left in a tub after bathing. In figurative use, it is best known from the idiom "throwing the baby out with the bathwater," which warns against discarding something valuable while trying to remove what is useless. It can also describe ideas, takes, or trends that have become stale, overdone, or lacking originality—like water that has gone cold and lifeless after too long.
The literal meaning of bathwater is the warm, soapy liquid remaining in a tub after someone has left it. Beyond the bathroom, the word carries strong figurative meaning. The standard idiom is "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater," used to warn against overzealous cleanup—dropping an important or valuable element while trying to get rid of an unwanted one. It means preserving what is essential even while removing what is waste or outdated.
In recent years, especially in online discussion, "bathwater" has also been used for content, arguments, or trends that feel lukewarm, repetitive, or stale. Much like water that has sat too long, the idea is one that has cooled and lost novelty. While "dull as dishwater" is the older idiom for similar meaning, this usage of bathwater can feel more modern and playful. A tired topic, overused opinion, or stale stock tip can be called bathwater when it seems to be "past its prime" and ready to be set aside for fresher thinking.
Examples
- 1
Bathing a child
The bathwater was still warm, so she let the toddler play for a few more minutes.
- 2
Baby safety
Always check the bathwater before you put a baby in the tub.
- 3
Figurative warning
We need to fix the old system without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
- Phrasethrow the baby out with the bathwater
get rid of something good while trying to remove something bad
See also
Similar
- bath water
- bathing water
- tub water
Shades of meaning
- soapy water
Contrast
- drinking water
- rinse water
Used with (collocations)
- dirty bathwater
- soak in bathwater
- drain the bathwater
- throw the baby out with the bathwater
Explore
- bathtub
- greywater
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- bathwater