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I'm looking for any expressions that can be used to convey a sense of "cost-benefit analysis", whether formal or informal, but not necessarily literally referring to a balance sheet.

An expression which might carry with it the implication that the result of an action either is or isn't worth the effort, money etc. to bring it about.

Clarification: I'm looking for any phrases that can me used in any grammatical context that describes things being worth the effort or not worth the effort, ideally that Don't have a financial undertone.

For example: any phrase that could be substituted in any of these sentences:

X is (worth the effort)

X (isn't worth the effort)

X isn't worthwhile in terms of (cost-benefit)

Some_Guy
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  • tradeoff? worthwhile? Simply "worth it?" Is there something more you're looking to convey? The analysis itself? The second part of the question doesn't make that clear. – stevesliva Jul 10 '15 at 16:20
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    Could you give us a sentence with a blank where the word or expression should go? This would help to give us some context and indicate whether you want a noun, verb or adjective for example. Thanks. – chasly - supports Monica Jul 10 '15 at 16:33
  • The phrase "What do I get out of this?" comes to mind. Usually an emphasis is placed on the subject, I. – Kingrames Jul 10 '15 at 16:35
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    I prefer to use the term "cost-effectiveness", for starters. – Hot Licks Jul 10 '15 at 16:49
  • Hi chasly, I thought of doing that, but I didn't want to rule out any specific grammatical construction. Probably on-balance it is easier to understand If I give an example though.

    I'm really interested in seeing what the English language has to offer in this department, and thought I'd try and leave it as open as possible :)

     – Some_Guy Jul 10 '15 at 17:03
  • In light of the modifications... high/low return? Similar to ROI, without the acronym. – stevesliva Jul 10 '15 at 17:50
  • Terms not specifically related to money is what I'm looking for – Some_Guy Jul 10 '15 at 17:51
  • I feel like I thought I was being a lot clearer than I actually was :/ It's difficult to ask a question for phrases you don't have to be fair – Some_Guy Jul 10 '15 at 17:52
  • Have you considered "profitable"? – Avon Jul 10 '15 at 18:25
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    I'm baffled as to why worthwhile isn't the word you're looking for. It exactly means worth the effort. – Val Kornea Jul 10 '15 at 18:28
  • Possible duplicate http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/104278/idiom-request-putting-too-much-effort-but-the-return-is-so-low-that-it-was-not – SrJoven Jul 10 '15 at 18:31

2 Answers2

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"not worth the candle"

Origin

This phrase relates to occupations, games etc. that were thought so lacking in merit that it wasn't worth the expense of a candle to create enough light to partake in them. Candles were as significant a drain on household expenses as is the electricity bill today. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/260900.html

chasly - supports Monica
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Edit: - THE ORIGINAL QUESTION WAS "Alternative expressions or words that convey the meaning of “cost-benefit analysis” in a less clunky way" MY ANSWER WAS POSTED BEFORE THE QUESTION WAS EDITED.

cost-benefit - " denoting or relating to a method of assessing a project that takes into account its costs and its benefits to society as well as the revenue it generates" TFD

Let's put this idiom into a sentence: "A careful cost-benefit analysis has shown that the construction of a new canal across Nicaragua will certainly benefit the Chinese."

Let's see what we can substitute for "cost-benefit".

"If one compares the total cost and the resulting benefits of a new canal across Nicaragua..." "...if one compares the advantages and the shortcomings..."

"An in-depth study of money spent versus profits has shown that..."

No, "cost-benefit" is a perfect idiom, current usage, and I don't think we can find anything better. Colloquially, however, "weigh the advantages and disadvantages", "it's worthwhile", "it isn't worth the effort", etc, may all fit your purpose, depending on context.

Centaurus
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