dead in the water

1. Unable to function or move; inoperable. For example, Without an effective leader, our plans for expansion are dead in the water. Originally referring to a crippled ship, this colloquialism was soon applied more broadly.

Example Sentences

"We were written off in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election with very similar arguments - you were dead in the water before you had begun according to the Scottish media," he said.

From BBC

The players don't buy into it, therefore it's dead in the water.

From BBC

“If it fails, he’s dead in the water.”

From Los Angeles Times

But days out from Winston's arrival, as war raged in the seas around him, the puggle was found dead in the water of his specially made "platypusary".

From BBC

Six people were found dead in the water without life jackets that afternoon, while two bodies were discovered on the lake floor near the accident site the following day.

From Los Angeles Times