The term "D.O.A." stands for "dead on arrival." It is an abbreviation used primarily in medical contexts, especially in emergency rooms. When a patient is described as D.O.A., it means that they were found to be dead when they arrived at the hospital or medical facility.
Usage Instructions:
You typically use "D.O.A." to talk about someone who did not survive long enough to receive medical treatment.
It is mostly used in formal or medical settings, so it's not common in everyday conversation.
Example:
Advanced Usage:
In some contexts, you might hear "D.O.A." used metaphorically to describe something that is completely ineffective or beyond saving, not just in medical terms. For instance, if a project is failing badly, someone might say, "This project is D.O.A."
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
"Dead on arrival" (full phrase).
In more general terms: "deceased," "lifeless," or "passed away" (though these are not exact synonyms in the medical context).
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
"D.O.A." is a medical abbreviation meaning "dead on arrival," used when a patient arrives at a healthcare facility already deceased. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that cannot be salvaged or improved.