sunk cost fallacy
Say it: sunk KOST FAL-uh-see /ˌsʌŋk ˈkɒst ˌfaləsi/ · noun
What “sunk cost fallacy” means
Continuing because of past spending, despite poor prospects ahead.
More precisely: Continuing something because of what you've already invested, rather than its future value.
When to use it
When discussing decisions where money, effort or time already spent wrongly outweighs whether continuing will be worthwhile.
Similar words
escalation of commitment, throwing good money after bad
Quick check
You keep repairing a hopeless bicycle because you've already spent so much, although replacing it would now cost less. That's…
perseverance or the sunk cost fallacy?
Show the answer
the sunk cost fallacy
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