Phrase Explanation: Dead End

When we say something is a “dead end,” we mean that it is a situation, plan, or way of doing something that does not lead to further progress or success. It’s like saying “it leads nowhere” or “it’s a cul-de-sac.”

Here are two examples in sentences:

Example 1:
John found his investigation led to a dead end when all clues stopped leading to new information.

Example 2:
Sarah’s plan to save the failing project turned out to be a dead end when the company still decided to shut it down.

Now, let’s see two examples in a conversation:

Example 3:
Mike: Hey, Emma! How’s your research for the essay going?
Emma: Not well, Mike. I feel like I’ve reached a dead end.

Example 4:
Lisa: Ben, any progress on finding a new job?
Ben: No, Lisa, every lead seems to be a dead end.

To summarise, the phrase “dead end” is used to express that a particular situation or course of action does not lead to any further progress or success. It’s used to depict a scenario that is unproductive or fruitless.

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