mortgage the/one's future
idiom
chiefly US, disapproving
: to borrow a large amount of money that will have to be paid back in the future
The city has mortgaged its future to pay for the new stadium.
—sometimes used figurativelySome critics say that she has mortgaged her political future on a program that is likely to fail.
Examples of mortgage the/one's future in a Sentence
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For starters, the first year for a new coaching staff with a roster coming off a five-win season seems like an odd time to mortgage the future for the present.
—
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Don’t allow Grier and McDaniel to mortgage the future in a desperate effort to win in 2025.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Golden State needs to improve its roster in a way that doesn't mortgage the future.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
From the team perspective, the Walker signing indicates the Astros are willing to mortgage the future to assemble a win-now roster.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
David Stearns, in his first season as the Mets’ president of baseball operations, demonstrated a balanced approach before his first deadline with the organization, making measured moves that help now but don’t mortgage the future.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
Rather than mortgage the future for veterans like Kikuchi, Flaherty, Frankie Montas and Erik Fedde — three of whom will be free agents at the end of the season — the Twins made only one uninspiring move, sending a minor-league infielder to Toronto for veteran reliever Trevor Richards.
—Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 30 July 2024
The winner was the Lakers because Pelinka would no longer mortgage the future to satisfy the whims of basketball’s ultimate win-now superstar.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024
If the states fail to assert their rights under Article V, Congress will continue to mortgage the future of our country and future generations.
—David M. Walker, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2024
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Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Don’t allow Grier and McDaniel to mortgage the future in a desperate effort to win in 2025.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Golden State needs to improve its roster in a way that doesn't mortgage the future.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
From the team perspective, the Walker signing indicates the Astros are willing to mortgage the future to assemble a win-now roster.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
David Stearns, in his first season as the Mets’ president of baseball operations, demonstrated a balanced approach before his first deadline with the organization, making measured moves that help now but don’t mortgage the future.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
Rather than mortgage the future for veterans like Kikuchi, Flaherty, Frankie Montas and Erik Fedde — three of whom will be free agents at the end of the season — the Twins made only one uninspiring move, sending a minor-league infielder to Toronto for veteran reliever Trevor Richards.
—Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 30 July 2024
The winner was the Lakers because Pelinka would no longer mortgage the future to satisfy the whims of basketball’s ultimate win-now superstar.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024
If the states fail to assert their rights under Article V, Congress will continue to mortgage the future of our country and future generations.
—David M. Walker, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Mortgage the/one's future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortgage%20the%2Fone%27s%20future. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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