riːtʃ ə dɛd ɛnd
Travel
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- to arrive at a street or road that has no exit
What does "reach a dead end" mean?
to reach a point where no further progress is possible
Examples
- The investigation reached a dead end when the only witness refused to testify.
- I've reached a dead end in my career.
- Every attempt to negotiate with them has reached a dead end.
Origin
From the literal dead-end street. Figurative use common in the early 20th century.
How to use it
Used when all options seem exhausted. The adjective 'dead-end' is equally common.
Similar expressions
hit a wall
reach an impasse
Opposites
make a breakthrough
find a way forward
Related idioms
- hit the road
To leave or depart on a journey
- in the same boat
In the same difficult situation as someone else
- miss the boat
To miss an opportunity
- go the extra mile
to make more effort than is expected or required
- a long way to go
much more work or progress is needed before completion
- that ship has sailed
The opportunity has passed
Use it in a practice answer
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