dead loss

British  

noun

1. informal a person, thing, or situation that is completely useless or unprofitable

2. a complete loss for which no compensation is received

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dead loss Idioms  

1. A total loss, as in They've changed the currency, so these old coins are a dead loss . [Early 1700s]

2. A worthless person or thing; also, an utter waste of time. For example, With an injured knee he's a dead loss to the team , or It rained every day, so our week at the beach was a dead loss . [1920s]

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Example Sentences

“He never received a dime - it was a dead loss for him and his family between his initial investment, legal fees and eventual settlement.”

From Washington Times • Jul. 6, 2020

“Coach Tuberville was as surprised as anyone to learn Stroud had lost all the money, including Coach’s. He never received a dime; it was a dead loss for him and his family,” Mr. McDonald said.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2020

Still, it's not a dead loss, suggests MacCulloch: "Blake was a mystic, and he was saying, in his lovely poetry, that God dwells everywhere - including England."

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2016

The girl always takes the guy to see them, but I always did my best to make him feel like it wasn't a complete dead loss.

From The Guardian • Jun. 28, 2012

He’s a dead loss, and I wish– I can’t think what you see in–” He broke off with grating teeth, maddeningly conscious of the futility and ineffectiveness of his words.

From Under Boy Scout Colors by Ames, Joseph Bushnell