dead-weight

dead-weight

A ship's dead-weight determines its maximum cargo capacity.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Heavy or oppressive burden: "dead-weight" refers to a heavy or inert mass that is difficult to move or carry, often used metaphorically to describe a burdensome responsibility or obligation.
    • Unused or unproductive load: In a figurative sense, it can mean a person or thing that contributes nothing useful and hinders progress or efficiency.
    • A ship's cargo capacity: In nautical contexts, "dead-weight" specifically denotes the total weight of cargo, fuel, and supplies that a ship can carry, expressed as deadweight tonnage.
Usage Examples
  • As a heavy burden: (A heavy, inert mass that is difficult to shift.)
  • As a metaphorical burden: (An oppressive, unhelpful influence.)
  • In nautical sense: (The total weight of cargo and supplies the ship can hold.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be a dead-weight on something": to act as a hindrance or obstacle.

    • The inefficient department is a dead-weight on the company's overall productivity. (It slows down progress.)

  • "dead-weight loss": an economic term referring to a loss of efficiency in a market, often due to taxes or monopolies.

    • The new tax created a dead-weight loss by reducing consumer spending. (A loss of economic welfare.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Deadweight (adj): describing something that is heavy and inert or unproductive.

    • The deadweight cargo was left on the dock. (The heavy, unused load.)

  • Deadweight tonnage (n): a measure of a ship's carrying capacity.

    • The tanker's deadweight tonnage is 50,000 metric tons. (Its total cargo capacity.)
Synonyms
  • Burden: a heavy load or responsibility.
  • Encumbrance: something that hinders or weighs down.
  • Liability: a person or thing that causes disadvantage or difficulty.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Weigh down: to make something heavy or burdensome.
    • The extra supplies weigh down the truck, making it slow. (They add dead-weight.)
Related Idioms

  • A millstone around one's neck: a heavy burden that prevents progress.

    • His debt is a millstone around his neck, much like dead-weight. (A persistent, oppressive load.)

  • Dead weight to carry: a person or thing that is useless and hinders others.

    • She felt like dead weight to carry in the group project. (She contributed nothing productive.)