Milking

Milking, in its primary sense, refers to the act of extracting milk from an animal, typically a cow, goat, or other mammal, by hand or with a machine. Beyond agriculture, "milking" can be used figuratively to describe the act of exploiting or taking advantage of something, particularly a situation or resource, for maximum benefit or profit. This can involve extracting information, funds, or other advantages over a prolonged period. It often implies a degree of greediness or prolonged usage of an item until its value is used up. Metaphorically, it can apply to squeezing the last bit of value from something before it is discarded.

Milking meaning with examples

• The farmer went to the barn every morning and evening to begin the milking process. He carefully attached the milking machine to each cow, ensuring a sanitary procedure to obtain the most milk. The process was essential for the farm's dairy production and required skill and precision, involving monitoring the equipment and the animal’s comfort.
• The company continued to milk its loyal customer base with inflated prices on an outdated service. They offered minimal improvements to the product while exploiting customer dependence. This strategic approach eventually backfired, damaging the company's reputation and long-term growth after customer complaints increased.
• The journalist was accused of milking the scandal for all it was worth by repeatedly covering the same details for several weeks. The repetitive coverage generated traffic, but risked losing public trust and trivializing the severity of the situation. Critics felt this prolonged approach lacked depth.
• The investor was known for milking his portfolio, patiently waiting to sell assets until the absolute peak. He meticulously monitored market trends, squeezing every last dollar from his investments. This involved considerable patience and willingness to accept and ride out market fluctuations for large profits.
• The author, facing declining book sales, decided to milk his established characters for another series. He created a prequel using the same setting and familiar names, to capitalize on the existing fanbase and renew interest in the franchise. This was a clear attempt to revive profits.