dead end

¹

noun

1. something, as a street or water pipe, that has no exit.

2. a position that offers no hope of progress; blind alley; cul-de-sac.

   His theory led him to a dead end.

dead-end

²

[ded-end]

adjective

1. terminating in a dead end.

   a dead-end street.

2. Also dead-ended. having no possibility for or hope of progress, advancement, etc..

   a low-level, dead-end job.

3. leading a life in the slums.

   growing up as a tough dead-end kid.

verb (used without object)

1. to come to a dead end.

   The road dead-ends at the lake.

dead end

noun

1. another name for cul-de-sac

2. a situation in which further progress is impossible

3. dead-end. ( as modifier )

   a dead-end street

   a dead-end job

verb

1. (intr) to come to a dead end

Word History and Origins

Origin of dead end¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Origin of dead end²

First recorded in 1885–90

Idioms and Phrases

A passage that has no exit, as in This street's a dead end, so turn back . [Late 1800s]

An impasse or blind alley, allowing no progress to be made. For example, This job is a dead end; I'll never be able to advance . [c. 1920]

Related Words

• blocked 
• closed