the jug goes to the well until it breaks
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Even though something can be used well at the moment, it will eventually break down as everything does.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
“The jug goes to the well until it breaks” – this may not be so terrible involving a jug – translated to the failure of a scaffolding assembly, it may, however, involve loss of life.
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 “the jug goes to the well until it breaks” mean?
Even though something can be used well at the moment, it will eventually break down as everything does.
Is “the jug goes to the well until it breaks” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.