garbage in, garbage out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
If input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “garbage in, garbage out” mean?
If input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.
Is “garbage in, garbage out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.