dead end
/'ded'end/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible: A point or state where further development or movement is blocked.
- A passage with access only at one end: A street, alley, or corridor that is closed at one end and does not lead through to another street.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Figurative - Situation):
- The research project hit a dead end when the funding was cut.
- Their relationship had reached a dead end, with no more topics to discuss.
- Noun (Literal - Passage):
- We got lost and drove down a dead end.
- The alley behind the building is a dead end.
Advanced Usage
- "to be a dead end": To describe a job, project, or path that offers no prospects for the future.
- That internship turned out to be a dead end; I learned nothing new.
- "dead-end job" (Note: This is a compound noun listed separately below): A job with low pay and no chance of promotion or advancement.
Variants and Related Words
- Dead-end (adjective): Leading to no further progress or outlet.
- He was stuck in a dead-end job for years.
- We took a dead-end road by mistake.
Synonyms
- Impasse: A situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement.
- Cul-de-sac: A street or passage closed at one end (literal meaning).
- Stalemate: A situation in which further action or progress by opposing parties seems impossible.
Related Phrases
- To come to/reach a dead end: To arrive at a point where no more progress is possible.
- The investigation came to a dead end.
- A dead-end street/road: A street that does not lead to other streets.
- They live on a quiet dead-end street.
Noun
- a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
- reached an impasse on the negotiations
- a passage with access only at one end