Definition of “dead end” - English Dictionary

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“dead end” in English

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dead endnoun

uk ​ /ˌded ˈend/ us ​ /ˌded ˈend/
dead-end
verb [ I ] uk ​ us ​ US

› If a road or path dead-ends, it is closed at one end, and does not lead anywhere:

The road dead-ended halfway up the mountain.

(Definition of “dead end” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“dead end” in American English

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dead endnoun [ C ]

/ˈded ˈend/

› a road or path that has no way out at one end:

fig. Negotiators have reached a dead end (= have not been successful and cannot go further) in their attempts to find a peaceful solution.

(Definition of “dead end” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“dead end” in Business English

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dead endnoun [ C ]

uk ​ us ​

› a situation that is unlikely to be successful or to make any progress:

We had several customer leads that all turned out to be dead ends.
It's very demoralizing for her; she perceives that her career is at a dead end.
reach/hit a dead end Plans to build a new toll road have reached a dead end.

(Definition of “dead end” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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