Antonyms for the phrase "puts to good use" are "squelches," "wastes," and "misuses." When something is squelched, it is silenced or suppressed, which is the opposite of being utilized effectively. When something is wasted, it is not used to its full potential or thrown away carelessly, resulting in a loss or waste of resources. Misusing something means using it inappropriately, causing harm instead of achieving a positive outcome. It is essential to recognize these antonyms and ensure that resources and opportunities are not squelched, wasted or misused, but are instead utilized to achieve meaningful and valuable results.