at a dead end

at a dead end

At an impasse; at a point where no more progress is possible. The phrase can be literal or figurative. We're at a dead end. We'll have to turn around and take that side road. My research is at a dead end—every experiment I've tried so far has failed.
See also: dead, end
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at a dead end

Fig. having reached an impasse; able to go no further forward. I can't go on. I'm at a dead end. We are at a dead end; the project is hopelessly stalled.
See also: dead, end
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • bring (someone or something) to a dead end
  • bring to a dead end
  • be as good as dead
  • (as) good as dead
  • millstone (around one's neck), to bear/carry a
  • knock-down drag-out fight, a
  • game face
  • bow the knee
  • encroach (up)on (something)
  • encroach on