dry hole

[ drahy hohl ]

noun

1. Also called duster. any well drilled for oil or gas that does not yield enough to be commercially profitable:

   After three consecutive dry holes, we were delirious when this site came through big for us.

2. a failed business venture, especially one that began with expectations and promises of high profitability:

   How do we explain to our investors yet another dry hole from our video games division?

dry hole

noun

1. (in the oil industry) a well that is drilled but does not produce oil or gas in commercially worthwhile amounts

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry hole¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Sometimes you git a payin' well an' a dry hole only a few hunderd feet apart.

From Project Gutenberg

It was hard work, putting down that well, and up to almost the last moment it promised to be a dry hole.

From Project Gutenberg

Afar from the encampment Poppy had found a big dry hole in the heart of a clump of bushes.

From Project Gutenberg

Every dry hole gives a greater chance that the next will be full.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came the blow-up, and it turned out that his well was just a dry hole in the ground.

From Project Gutenberg