dead end

Meaning

A 'dead end' is a street, road, or passage that is closed at one end, meaning you cannot drive or walk through it and must turn back. Figuratively, it describes a situation, job, or argument that has no progress or future.

Examples

• We accidentally turned down a dead end and had to back the car out carefully.

  We accidentally turned down a dead end and had to back the car out carefully.

• The GPS led us to a dead end street that terminated at a high brick wall.

  The GPS led us to a dead end street that terminated at a high brick wall.

• Make sure you don't take that path; it's a dead end that leads straight into a swamp.

  Make sure you don't take that path; it's a dead end that leads straight into a swamp.

• After walking for ten minutes, we realized the alleyway was a dead end.

  After walking for ten minutes, we realized the alleyway was a dead end.

• There is a sign at the entrance of the road warning drivers that it is a dead end.

  There is a sign at the entrance of the road warning drivers that it is a dead end.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had to turn back because the street was a dead road.

  ✓ We had to turn back because the street was a dead end.

  'Dead road' is a literal translation error from some languages. In English, a road with no exit is always called a 'dead end' or a 'no-through road'.

• ✗ I live in a dead end street.

  ✓ I live on a dead-end street.

  In English, we live 'on' a street, not 'in' it. Also, when 'dead-end' is used as an adjective modifying 'street', it is usually hyphenated.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I realized we were going the wrong way when the road turned into a ___.

  💡 A road that does not lead anywhere and forces you to turn around.

  Show answer

  dead end

• The hiking trail is a ___ that stops abruptly at the edge of the cliff.

  💡 A path with no exit or continuation.

  Show answer

  dead end