without any chance for success.

Five years ago the industry appeared dead on arrival.

The idea of legalizing some drugs is a concept that's dead on arrival in many law enforcement circles.

Usage notes: often used in referring to something that must be voted on:

Healthcare reform was dead on arrival.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of dead on arrival (= not alive when brought to a hospital)

• a change of pace
• a charley horse
• a cheap shot
• a chef d'oeuvre
• ache for
• ache for someone
• ache for something
• a chicken and egg situation
• a chink in armour
• a chink in someone's armour
• a chinless wonder
• a chip off the old block
• a chip on shoulder
• a chip on your shoulder
• a chunk of change
• a clarion call
• a clean bill of health
• a clean break
• a clean sheet
• a clean slate
• a clean sweep
• a clever clogs
• a clever dick
• a close call
• a close shave