bad money drives out good

Proverb

in organizations and labor markets metaphoric

Debased coinage (with low levels of precious metals) replaces purer coinage (with higher levels of precious metals).

Japanese Meaning

悪貨が善貨を駆逐する現象を指す諺。すなわち、価値の低い通貨が流通することで、価値の高い通貨が市場から姿を消してしまうという現象。

歴史は、通貨の品位が落ちると悪貨は良貨を駆逐し、人々は良質な硬貨を蓄え、質の低い硬貨を流通させることを示している。

Sense（1）

Debased coinage (with low levels of precious metals) replaces purer coinage (with higher levels of precious metals).

Sense（2）

People hoard good currency and other assets and attempt to pass inferior currency and assets to others in exchange.

Sense（3）

(metaphorically, in organizations and labor markets) Overvalued mediocre talent replaces undervalued real talent.