Cut one's losses

Meaning

Stop an activity to prevent further waste or damage.

Usage

Used when admitting a plan is not worth continuing.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Financial and military advice to abandon losing engagements.

The phrase appeared in nineteenth century trading manuals.