Dead in the water
adjective
To be stopped and unable to progress.
Their project was dead in the water after their funding was cut.
Often appears as...
- project is dead in the water
- plan is dead in the water
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
In a state of complete failure.
Without new investors, her startup is dead in the water.
Often appears as...
- startup is dead in the water
- career is dead in the water
Usage tips
Negative
adjective
If a vehicle or machine is dead in the water, it is not operating and is unable to move.
Without fuel, the car was dead in the water.
Often appears as...
- car is dead in the water
- boat is dead in the water
Usage tips
Negative
Colloquial
adjective
To be stopped and unable to progress.
Their project was dead in the water after their funding was cut.
Often appears as...
- project is dead in the water
- plan is dead in the water
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
In a state of complete failure.
Without new investors, her startup is dead in the water.
Often appears as...
- startup is dead in the water
- career is dead in the water
Usage tips
Negative
adjective
If a vehicle or machine is dead in the water, it is not operating and is unable to move.
Without fuel, the car was dead in the water.
Often appears as...
- car is dead in the water
- boat is dead in the water
Usage tips
Negative
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Impasse Context
Use when a situation cannot move forward because of an obstacle or disagreement.
The peace talks were dead in the water due to lack of compromise.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literally Stopped
It's a metaphor for lack of progress, not necessarily a physical halt.
The innovation team's idea was dead in the water after the negative feedback.
Pro Tip 3/3Emphasizing Failure
Use it to stress the absence of progress, with a tone of finality.
The bill was dead in the water after the council's unanimous vote against it.
Pro Tip 1/3Impasse Context
Use when a situation cannot move forward because of an obstacle or disagreement.
The peace talks were dead in the water due to lack of compromise.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literally Stopped
It's a metaphor for lack of progress, not necessarily a physical halt.
The innovation team's idea was dead in the water after the negative feedback.
Pro Tip 3/3Emphasizing Failure
Use it to stress the absence of progress, with a tone of finality.
The bill was dead in the water after the council's unanimous vote against it.
Pro Tip 1/3Impasse Context
Use when a situation cannot move forward because of an obstacle or disagreement.
The peace talks were dead in the water due to lack of compromise.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literally Stopped
It's a metaphor for lack of progress, not necessarily a physical halt.
The innovation team's idea was dead in the water after the negative feedback.
Pro Tip 3/3Emphasizing Failure
Use it to stress the absence of progress, with a tone of finality.
The bill was dead in the water after the council's unanimous vote against it.
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