sunk cost

[/sʌŋk kɔst/]
nounpl: sunk costs
custo irrecuperável
1. a cost that has already been incurred and cannot be recovered, regardless of future decisions or outcomes
The money already spent on the failed project is a sunk cost and should not influence our decision to continue or abandon it.
O dinheiro já gasto no projeto fracassado é um custo irrecuperável e não deve influenciar nossa decisão de continuar ou abandoná-lo.
2. in economics and business, an expenditure that cannot be reclaimed and should not affect rational decision-making
Don't let sunk costs dictate your business strategy; focus only on future benefits and costs.
Não deixe os custos irrecuperáveis ditar sua estratégia empresarial; concentre-se apenas nos benefícios e custos futuros.
The concept of sunk cost is particularly relevant in business and finance contexts in both USA and Brazil. It's often used in discussions about the 'sunk cost fallacy,' where decision-makers incorrectly allow past investments to influence future choices. This principle is fundamental to rational economic decision-making and is widely taught in business schools and MBA programs in both countries.
NYC Slang
dead money
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unrecoverable costpast costbygone expenseirrecoverable expenditure
Antonyms / Antônimos
future costvariable costavoidable cost

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
custo irrecuperável
Standard business and economics terminology
General Brazilian
custo passado
Alternative, simpler translation used in some contexts
Portugal
custo irrecuperável
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; standard economic term
Portugal
custo enterrado
Colloquial usage meaning 'buried cost'

Related Words

opportunity costfixed costmarginal costsunk cost fallacy

Related Idioms & Phrases

throwing good money after bad
pouring money down the drain
money down the tubes
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