Does “he squandered his car on drink” sound natural?Natural way for saying 'buffer period'“Joining someone for a drink” vs “Joining someone in a drink”Does 'not too much' sound natural?Does “be late for the green light” look natural?Writing this line in a natural way“You've done very bad not to…” How to make it sound naturalDoes “unbuild” in “Unbuild your Legos before putting them back into the box” sound natural?He is fixing his carDoes “my internal body clock is broken” sound natural?Is this sentence correct? Does it sound natural?

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Does “he squandered his car on drink” sound natural?


Natural way for saying 'buffer period'“Joining someone for a drink” vs “Joining someone in a drink”Does 'not too much' sound natural?Does “be late for the green light” look natural?Writing this line in a natural way“You've done very bad not to…” How to make it sound naturalDoes “unbuild” in “Unbuild your Legos before putting them back into the box” sound natural?He is fixing his carDoes “my internal body clock is broken” sound natural?Is this sentence correct? Does it sound natural?













5















I am struggling with how to express the idea that somebody sold out some article of his possession (computer, car, house, etc.) and used the money to buy himself alcohol to drink.



For example,




-- Where is his computer?



-- Well, he squandered it on drink.




Dictionaries show that "to squander on drink" is okay; but when I type in Google Search "squandered his car on drink", I get zero results, which makes me think that there might be some better and more common ways of expressing the same thought.










share|improve this question



















  • 3





    If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

    – R.M.
    yesterday















5















I am struggling with how to express the idea that somebody sold out some article of his possession (computer, car, house, etc.) and used the money to buy himself alcohol to drink.



For example,




-- Where is his computer?



-- Well, he squandered it on drink.




Dictionaries show that "to squander on drink" is okay; but when I type in Google Search "squandered his car on drink", I get zero results, which makes me think that there might be some better and more common ways of expressing the same thought.










share|improve this question



















  • 3





    If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

    – R.M.
    yesterday













5












5








5


1






I am struggling with how to express the idea that somebody sold out some article of his possession (computer, car, house, etc.) and used the money to buy himself alcohol to drink.



For example,




-- Where is his computer?



-- Well, he squandered it on drink.




Dictionaries show that "to squander on drink" is okay; but when I type in Google Search "squandered his car on drink", I get zero results, which makes me think that there might be some better and more common ways of expressing the same thought.










share|improve this question
















I am struggling with how to express the idea that somebody sold out some article of his possession (computer, car, house, etc.) and used the money to buy himself alcohol to drink.



For example,




-- Where is his computer?



-- Well, he squandered it on drink.




Dictionaries show that "to squander on drink" is okay; but when I type in Google Search "squandered his car on drink", I get zero results, which makes me think that there might be some better and more common ways of expressing the same thought.







phrase-request






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 days ago







brilliant

















asked 2 days ago









brilliantbrilliant

94621529




94621529







  • 3





    If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

    – R.M.
    yesterday












  • 3





    If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

    – R.M.
    yesterday







3




3





If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

– R.M.
yesterday





If you said "He squandered his car on drink", my immediate interpretation would be that it's a poetic way of saying he crashed it while drunk driving. (That is, he was "on drink" when the car was squandered, where "squandered" is being interpreted as "wasted in a reckless or foolish manner", without any monetary connotation.)

– R.M.
yesterday










6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















19














While you can squander money on drink, you cannot generally squander anything else on drink. The top dictionary definition of "squander" is "to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully." You cannot "spend" a car or a computer, so it doesn't make sense to squander them either.



Strangely, using "drink" idiomatically to mean "alcohol" is almost always done in the context of wasting money, time, or opportunity:




He blew his money on drink.
She had so much potential, but she wasted it all on gambling and drink.




Otherwise, native speakers tend to use a different slang term, such as "booze", or a more literal or specific term like "liquor," "beer," or even just "alchohol."



Edit: To clarify, I am talking about using the word "drink" as a mass noun with no article, equivalent to "beer" or "water." Using it as a verb ("I drink to forget my troubles") or as a singular verb ("Let's go out and get a drink") are often used to imply alcohol in many contexts.



Here are some alternatives that I think communicates what you're trying to say. I'm ordering them roughly from most straightforward to most judgmental:




He sold his car to buy alcohol.



He traded his car for beer money.



He sold his car and blew the money on booze.





"Squander" is a funny-sounding word, and normally used only in specific contexts. The most common phrases using "squander," as far as I'm aware, are:




  • To squander money / resources

  • To squander goodwill

  • To squander your time

  • To squander an opportunity






share|improve this answer




















  • 1





    "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

    – chrylis
    2 days ago






  • 4





    A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

    – jamesqf
    2 days ago






  • 1





    As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

    – Eric Nolan
    2 days ago






  • 1





    I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

    – Mixolydian
    yesterday






  • 1





    @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

    – Jesse
    yesterday


















7














I think one normally squanders money on something. The money could come from selling an item, but you have to make that explicit. Try something like:




-- Well, he sold his computer and squandered his profits the proceeds on drink.







share|improve this answer




















  • 4





    I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

    – Tanner Swett
    2 days ago











  • Yes, good point.

    – Mixolydian
    yesterday











  • And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

    – David Richerby
    yesterday











  • Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

    – Mixolydian
    yesterday


















3














You "squander" something consumable, like time, money, effort and so on. It sounds unusual to "squander" a computer because you don't use it by consuming or exchanging it.



However, precisely because it is unusual, as a native speaker I would interpret "Well, he squandered his computer on drink" as a witticism. I would both understand what you meant and think you were being very clever.






share|improve this answer























  • As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

    – FumbleFingers
    yesterday











  • Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

    – Len
    6 hours ago


















1














I agree with others who said to squander a specific thing seems odd, although as Len said, it is the sort of thing someone might say purposely to make a point.



To say "squandered everything" is another common phrase. For instance you could say "he squadered everything he had on drink: his car, his house and finally his family". Even though ordinarily you don't spend your family, the implication is clear.



In your specific example I wouldn't use squandered at all. The first, most natural, sentence I came up with is "he sold it for drink" or (better grammar) "he sold it to buy drink".



Note that when I went to Google to see if "squadered everything on drink" was really a common phrase the first few hits were from the bible. No idea what that might mean to you but I thought it was worth mentioning.






share|improve this answer
































    1














    Something like "He drank his whole life away" would definitely imply that it was "wasted on alcohol". I don't know that "He drank his car away" has quite the same connotation. Maybe something like "He drank away his prized/beloved car" might be better. Saying he "drank away" or "drank his ___ away" I think is much clearer to what you mean.






    share|improve this answer






























      -1














      One can also say something like "he drank away his car, his house and his life savings".






      share|improve this answer










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        6 Answers
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        6 Answers
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        19














        While you can squander money on drink, you cannot generally squander anything else on drink. The top dictionary definition of "squander" is "to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully." You cannot "spend" a car or a computer, so it doesn't make sense to squander them either.



        Strangely, using "drink" idiomatically to mean "alcohol" is almost always done in the context of wasting money, time, or opportunity:




        He blew his money on drink.
        She had so much potential, but she wasted it all on gambling and drink.




        Otherwise, native speakers tend to use a different slang term, such as "booze", or a more literal or specific term like "liquor," "beer," or even just "alchohol."



        Edit: To clarify, I am talking about using the word "drink" as a mass noun with no article, equivalent to "beer" or "water." Using it as a verb ("I drink to forget my troubles") or as a singular verb ("Let's go out and get a drink") are often used to imply alcohol in many contexts.



        Here are some alternatives that I think communicates what you're trying to say. I'm ordering them roughly from most straightforward to most judgmental:




        He sold his car to buy alcohol.



        He traded his car for beer money.



        He sold his car and blew the money on booze.





        "Squander" is a funny-sounding word, and normally used only in specific contexts. The most common phrases using "squander," as far as I'm aware, are:




        • To squander money / resources

        • To squander goodwill

        • To squander your time

        • To squander an opportunity






        share|improve this answer




















        • 1





          "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

          – chrylis
          2 days ago






        • 4





          A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

          – jamesqf
          2 days ago






        • 1





          As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

          – Eric Nolan
          2 days ago






        • 1





          I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday






        • 1





          @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

          – Jesse
          yesterday















        19














        While you can squander money on drink, you cannot generally squander anything else on drink. The top dictionary definition of "squander" is "to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully." You cannot "spend" a car or a computer, so it doesn't make sense to squander them either.



        Strangely, using "drink" idiomatically to mean "alcohol" is almost always done in the context of wasting money, time, or opportunity:




        He blew his money on drink.
        She had so much potential, but she wasted it all on gambling and drink.




        Otherwise, native speakers tend to use a different slang term, such as "booze", or a more literal or specific term like "liquor," "beer," or even just "alchohol."



        Edit: To clarify, I am talking about using the word "drink" as a mass noun with no article, equivalent to "beer" or "water." Using it as a verb ("I drink to forget my troubles") or as a singular verb ("Let's go out and get a drink") are often used to imply alcohol in many contexts.



        Here are some alternatives that I think communicates what you're trying to say. I'm ordering them roughly from most straightforward to most judgmental:




        He sold his car to buy alcohol.



        He traded his car for beer money.



        He sold his car and blew the money on booze.





        "Squander" is a funny-sounding word, and normally used only in specific contexts. The most common phrases using "squander," as far as I'm aware, are:




        • To squander money / resources

        • To squander goodwill

        • To squander your time

        • To squander an opportunity






        share|improve this answer




















        • 1





          "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

          – chrylis
          2 days ago






        • 4





          A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

          – jamesqf
          2 days ago






        • 1





          As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

          – Eric Nolan
          2 days ago






        • 1





          I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday






        • 1





          @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

          – Jesse
          yesterday













        19












        19








        19







        While you can squander money on drink, you cannot generally squander anything else on drink. The top dictionary definition of "squander" is "to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully." You cannot "spend" a car or a computer, so it doesn't make sense to squander them either.



        Strangely, using "drink" idiomatically to mean "alcohol" is almost always done in the context of wasting money, time, or opportunity:




        He blew his money on drink.
        She had so much potential, but she wasted it all on gambling and drink.




        Otherwise, native speakers tend to use a different slang term, such as "booze", or a more literal or specific term like "liquor," "beer," or even just "alchohol."



        Edit: To clarify, I am talking about using the word "drink" as a mass noun with no article, equivalent to "beer" or "water." Using it as a verb ("I drink to forget my troubles") or as a singular verb ("Let's go out and get a drink") are often used to imply alcohol in many contexts.



        Here are some alternatives that I think communicates what you're trying to say. I'm ordering them roughly from most straightforward to most judgmental:




        He sold his car to buy alcohol.



        He traded his car for beer money.



        He sold his car and blew the money on booze.





        "Squander" is a funny-sounding word, and normally used only in specific contexts. The most common phrases using "squander," as far as I'm aware, are:




        • To squander money / resources

        • To squander goodwill

        • To squander your time

        • To squander an opportunity






        share|improve this answer















        While you can squander money on drink, you cannot generally squander anything else on drink. The top dictionary definition of "squander" is "to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully." You cannot "spend" a car or a computer, so it doesn't make sense to squander them either.



        Strangely, using "drink" idiomatically to mean "alcohol" is almost always done in the context of wasting money, time, or opportunity:




        He blew his money on drink.
        She had so much potential, but she wasted it all on gambling and drink.




        Otherwise, native speakers tend to use a different slang term, such as "booze", or a more literal or specific term like "liquor," "beer," or even just "alchohol."



        Edit: To clarify, I am talking about using the word "drink" as a mass noun with no article, equivalent to "beer" or "water." Using it as a verb ("I drink to forget my troubles") or as a singular verb ("Let's go out and get a drink") are often used to imply alcohol in many contexts.



        Here are some alternatives that I think communicates what you're trying to say. I'm ordering them roughly from most straightforward to most judgmental:




        He sold his car to buy alcohol.



        He traded his car for beer money.



        He sold his car and blew the money on booze.





        "Squander" is a funny-sounding word, and normally used only in specific contexts. The most common phrases using "squander," as far as I'm aware, are:




        • To squander money / resources

        • To squander goodwill

        • To squander your time

        • To squander an opportunity







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited yesterday

























        answered 2 days ago









        JesseJesse

        1,365510




        1,365510







        • 1





          "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

          – chrylis
          2 days ago






        • 4





          A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

          – jamesqf
          2 days ago






        • 1





          As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

          – Eric Nolan
          2 days ago






        • 1





          I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday






        • 1





          @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

          – Jesse
          yesterday












        • 1





          "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

          – chrylis
          2 days ago






        • 4





          A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

          – jamesqf
          2 days ago






        • 1





          As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

          – Eric Nolan
          2 days ago






        • 1





          I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday






        • 1





          @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

          – Jesse
          yesterday







        1




        1





        "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

        – chrylis
        2 days ago





        "Squander a car" doesn't make sense here, but it might if someone were prone to drag racing.

        – chrylis
        2 days ago




        4




        4





        A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

        – jamesqf
        2 days ago





        A better phrasing would be "He sold his car, and squandered the money on drink".

        – jamesqf
        2 days ago




        1




        1





        As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

        – Eric Nolan
        2 days ago





        As an aside, I can think of plenty of examples where 'drink' is used in a non-negative way to mean alcohol. "I was out drinking last night". "We had a few drinks then went home". "Eat, drink and be merry". "I have a drink every now and again". You may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean alchohol but in my experience those phrases are almost always used that way.

        – Eric Nolan
        2 days ago




        1




        1





        I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday





        I think "drink" as a mass noun is almost always used with a negative connotation. See Jesse's first two example sentences. "A drink" and "drinks" do not have that connotation at all.

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday




        1




        1





        @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

        – Jesse
        yesterday





        @EricNolan, as a couple of other people have pointed out, I was writing specifically about the use of "drink" as a mass noun without an article. I agree that using it as a verb to imply the consumption of alcohol is common, and so is using it as a singular noun with an article ("a drink").

        – Jesse
        yesterday













        7














        I think one normally squanders money on something. The money could come from selling an item, but you have to make that explicit. Try something like:




        -- Well, he sold his computer and squandered his profits the proceeds on drink.







        share|improve this answer




















        • 4





          I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

          – Tanner Swett
          2 days ago











        • Yes, good point.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday











        • And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

          – David Richerby
          yesterday











        • Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday















        7














        I think one normally squanders money on something. The money could come from selling an item, but you have to make that explicit. Try something like:




        -- Well, he sold his computer and squandered his profits the proceeds on drink.







        share|improve this answer




















        • 4





          I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

          – Tanner Swett
          2 days ago











        • Yes, good point.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday











        • And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

          – David Richerby
          yesterday











        • Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday













        7












        7








        7







        I think one normally squanders money on something. The money could come from selling an item, but you have to make that explicit. Try something like:




        -- Well, he sold his computer and squandered his profits the proceeds on drink.







        share|improve this answer















        I think one normally squanders money on something. The money could come from selling an item, but you have to make that explicit. Try something like:




        -- Well, he sold his computer and squandered his profits the proceeds on drink.








        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited yesterday

























        answered 2 days ago









        MixolydianMixolydian

        4,136614




        4,136614







        • 4





          I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

          – Tanner Swett
          2 days ago











        • Yes, good point.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday











        • And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

          – David Richerby
          yesterday











        • Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday












        • 4





          I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

          – Tanner Swett
          2 days ago











        • Yes, good point.

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday











        • And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

          – David Richerby
          yesterday











        • Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

          – Mixolydian
          yesterday







        4




        4





        I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

        – Tanner Swett
        2 days ago





        I would use "proceeds" instead of "profits" there. Proceeds are all of the money you get from selling something; profits are the money you get from selling it, minus the money you spent in order to obtain it. When you sell a car, you usually have proceeds, but not profits.

        – Tanner Swett
        2 days ago













        Yes, good point.

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday





        Yes, good point.

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday













        And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

        – David Richerby
        yesterday





        And usually "the proceeds", unless they sold their stuff and you're talking specifically about his share of the money.

        – David Richerby
        yesterday













        Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday





        Yes, I agree with this as well. I wrote this answer too quickly!

        – Mixolydian
        yesterday











        3














        You "squander" something consumable, like time, money, effort and so on. It sounds unusual to "squander" a computer because you don't use it by consuming or exchanging it.



        However, precisely because it is unusual, as a native speaker I would interpret "Well, he squandered his computer on drink" as a witticism. I would both understand what you meant and think you were being very clever.






        share|improve this answer























        • As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

          – FumbleFingers
          yesterday











        • Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

          – Len
          6 hours ago















        3














        You "squander" something consumable, like time, money, effort and so on. It sounds unusual to "squander" a computer because you don't use it by consuming or exchanging it.



        However, precisely because it is unusual, as a native speaker I would interpret "Well, he squandered his computer on drink" as a witticism. I would both understand what you meant and think you were being very clever.






        share|improve this answer























        • As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

          – FumbleFingers
          yesterday











        • Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

          – Len
          6 hours ago













        3












        3








        3







        You "squander" something consumable, like time, money, effort and so on. It sounds unusual to "squander" a computer because you don't use it by consuming or exchanging it.



        However, precisely because it is unusual, as a native speaker I would interpret "Well, he squandered his computer on drink" as a witticism. I would both understand what you meant and think you were being very clever.






        share|improve this answer













        You "squander" something consumable, like time, money, effort and so on. It sounds unusual to "squander" a computer because you don't use it by consuming or exchanging it.



        However, precisely because it is unusual, as a native speaker I would interpret "Well, he squandered his computer on drink" as a witticism. I would both understand what you meant and think you were being very clever.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 2 days ago









        LenLen

        735




        735












        • As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

          – FumbleFingers
          yesterday











        • Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

          – Len
          6 hours ago

















        • As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

          – FumbleFingers
          yesterday











        • Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

          – Len
          6 hours ago
















        As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

        – FumbleFingers
        yesterday





        As a native speaker, I too would make the same interpretation - if I knew the utterance came from a native speaker. But if I knew it was a non-native, I'd be more likely to correct him than to praise his "wit".

        – FumbleFingers
        yesterday













        Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

        – Len
        6 hours ago





        Well, of course. If it was writing, though, I would think it was being clever rather than assume the writer made a mistake due to being a non-native speaker.

        – Len
        6 hours ago











        1














        I agree with others who said to squander a specific thing seems odd, although as Len said, it is the sort of thing someone might say purposely to make a point.



        To say "squandered everything" is another common phrase. For instance you could say "he squadered everything he had on drink: his car, his house and finally his family". Even though ordinarily you don't spend your family, the implication is clear.



        In your specific example I wouldn't use squandered at all. The first, most natural, sentence I came up with is "he sold it for drink" or (better grammar) "he sold it to buy drink".



        Note that when I went to Google to see if "squadered everything on drink" was really a common phrase the first few hits were from the bible. No idea what that might mean to you but I thought it was worth mentioning.






        share|improve this answer





























          1














          I agree with others who said to squander a specific thing seems odd, although as Len said, it is the sort of thing someone might say purposely to make a point.



          To say "squandered everything" is another common phrase. For instance you could say "he squadered everything he had on drink: his car, his house and finally his family". Even though ordinarily you don't spend your family, the implication is clear.



          In your specific example I wouldn't use squandered at all. The first, most natural, sentence I came up with is "he sold it for drink" or (better grammar) "he sold it to buy drink".



          Note that when I went to Google to see if "squadered everything on drink" was really a common phrase the first few hits were from the bible. No idea what that might mean to you but I thought it was worth mentioning.






          share|improve this answer



























            1












            1








            1







            I agree with others who said to squander a specific thing seems odd, although as Len said, it is the sort of thing someone might say purposely to make a point.



            To say "squandered everything" is another common phrase. For instance you could say "he squadered everything he had on drink: his car, his house and finally his family". Even though ordinarily you don't spend your family, the implication is clear.



            In your specific example I wouldn't use squandered at all. The first, most natural, sentence I came up with is "he sold it for drink" or (better grammar) "he sold it to buy drink".



            Note that when I went to Google to see if "squadered everything on drink" was really a common phrase the first few hits were from the bible. No idea what that might mean to you but I thought it was worth mentioning.






            share|improve this answer















            I agree with others who said to squander a specific thing seems odd, although as Len said, it is the sort of thing someone might say purposely to make a point.



            To say "squandered everything" is another common phrase. For instance you could say "he squadered everything he had on drink: his car, his house and finally his family". Even though ordinarily you don't spend your family, the implication is clear.



            In your specific example I wouldn't use squandered at all. The first, most natural, sentence I came up with is "he sold it for drink" or (better grammar) "he sold it to buy drink".



            Note that when I went to Google to see if "squadered everything on drink" was really a common phrase the first few hits were from the bible. No idea what that might mean to you but I thought it was worth mentioning.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited yesterday









            Meg

            1033




            1033










            answered 2 days ago









            Eric NolanEric Nolan

            2394




            2394





















                1














                Something like "He drank his whole life away" would definitely imply that it was "wasted on alcohol". I don't know that "He drank his car away" has quite the same connotation. Maybe something like "He drank away his prized/beloved car" might be better. Saying he "drank away" or "drank his ___ away" I think is much clearer to what you mean.






                share|improve this answer



























                  1














                  Something like "He drank his whole life away" would definitely imply that it was "wasted on alcohol". I don't know that "He drank his car away" has quite the same connotation. Maybe something like "He drank away his prized/beloved car" might be better. Saying he "drank away" or "drank his ___ away" I think is much clearer to what you mean.






                  share|improve this answer

























                    1












                    1








                    1







                    Something like "He drank his whole life away" would definitely imply that it was "wasted on alcohol". I don't know that "He drank his car away" has quite the same connotation. Maybe something like "He drank away his prized/beloved car" might be better. Saying he "drank away" or "drank his ___ away" I think is much clearer to what you mean.






                    share|improve this answer













                    Something like "He drank his whole life away" would definitely imply that it was "wasted on alcohol". I don't know that "He drank his car away" has quite the same connotation. Maybe something like "He drank away his prized/beloved car" might be better. Saying he "drank away" or "drank his ___ away" I think is much clearer to what you mean.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered yesterday









                    BradBrad

                    1213




                    1213





















                        -1














                        One can also say something like "he drank away his car, his house and his life savings".






                        share|improve this answer










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                        emery.noel is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                          -1














                          One can also say something like "he drank away his car, his house and his life savings".






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                          emery.noel is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            -1












                            -1








                            -1







                            One can also say something like "he drank away his car, his house and his life savings".






                            share|improve this answer










                            New contributor




                            emery.noel is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            One can also say something like "he drank away his car, his house and his life savings".







                            share|improve this answer










                            New contributor




                            emery.noel is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited yesterday









                            fred2

                            3,545723




                            3,545723






                            New contributor




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                            answered yesterday









                            emery.noelemery.noel

                            99




                            99




                            New contributor




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