deadbeat dad

[ ded-beet dad ]

/ ˈdɛd bit ˈdæd /

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noun Informal.

a father who neglects his responsibilities as a parent, especially one who does not pay child support: The deadbeat dad was forced to pay a lump sum of over $10,000 to settle the case.

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Origin of deadbeat dad

First recorded in 1975–80

Words nearby deadbeat dad

dead and buried, dead arm, dead as a doornail, dead-ball line, deadbeat, deadbeat dad, deadbolt, deadboy, dead bury their dead, Let the, dead-cat bounce, dead center

How to use deadbeat dad in a sentence

To his four children, he’s a deadbeat dad whose absence destroyed their mother.
20 books to read this summer|Washington Post Editors and Reviewers|May 27, 2021|Washington Post
Though the Chargers left San Diego for Los Angeles in 2017 — abandoning its fans for another family like a deadbeat dad — much of the former stadium’s materials will be recycled back into the San Diego State University’s Aztec stadium.
Environment Report: The Chargers Stadium’s Circle of Life|MacKenzie Elmer|March 29, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Dad hasn't been in the picture since she was about a year old — he's a deadbeat dad.
Carolyn Hax: A friend is tightly tethered to her daughter|Carolyn Hax|March 18, 2021|Washington Post
My dad was a sailor, and all through my childhood he was away half of the time at sea, and to an extent I have a similar job.
Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

His wife passed away and they had kids, and he wanted to focus on being a dad so he just stopped to raise his kids.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The fear of…Dad, of the war…yes, that…but something else…the fear that life is nor being lived right here now.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My dad had worked for a while as a ranch hand, and his “Open Road” was a remnant of those days.
My Love Letter to the Stetson|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The kids are out of school, Mom is out of get-up-and-go, Dad is out of work.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Dad and Hans Rutter, as you know, weren't the sort of men to sit around and mourn over anything like that," she laughed.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
When I told dad, sez I, 'Dad, did ever yer hear sech a thing uz gittin' up afore light to feed stock?'
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
He was one of Dad's tenants, a big purple-faced man, who drank a lot and never took much exercise.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Why, I coaxed even dad over to camp once and I've always wanted Helena to go.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
I'd do anything for dad an' I guess if he thought I was gettin' discouraged he'd jest plum up an' quit.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope