dead wood

Related to dead wood: get the axe

deadwood

1. Literally, the dead parts of a tree, bush, or plant. Your plant might bloom again if you cut the deadwood out.
2. Those who are ineffective and unproductive. Based on these consistently low numbers, there's a lot of deadwood in that department.
3. In bowling, fallen pins that have yet to be cleared from the lane. It's my turn, as soon as the deadwood gets cleared.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dead wood

If you describe someone or something as dead wood, you mean that they are no longer useful or effective in a particular organization or situation and you want to get rid of them. It is now time for the dead wood at the top of the party to be cut away. The Government's policies were designed to streamline the industry and remove some of the dead wood.
See also: dead, wood
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

dead wood

people or things that are no longer useful or productive.
2003 Architectural Review Academics cement themselves like limpets to whomever will give them tenure. Australian universities are full of dead wood.
See also: dead, wood
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌdead ˈwood

(informal) people or things that are no longer useful or necessary: The management wants to cut costs by getting rid of all the dead wood in the factory. Fifty workers are to lose their jobs.
This refers to the parts of a tree or a branch that are dead and no longer produce fruit, etc.
See also: dead, wood
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

deadwood

n. nonproductive or nonfunctional persons. We’ll have to cut costs by getting rid of the deadwood.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • cut the deadwood out
  • deadwood
  • plant
  • plant (something) in (something else)
  • plant in
  • uproot
  • uproot (someone or something) from (something or some place)
  • uproot from
  • leaf out
  • flit from (something) to (something)
References in periodicals archive
A large part of this area is covered by old-growth forests characterized by a high amount (more than 1000[m.sup.3]/ha) of high quality and structurally complex dead wood. These forests, presently unique in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, seem to be one of the best places to study diversity of saproxylic assemblages.
A new Saproxylic paleonurini (Collembola, Neanuridae) species from North America with the first record of Galanura agnieskae Smolis, 2000 from the continent
According to the Scotsman, Longmuir was inspired to write Dead Wood by a series of murders in Dundee and the book features a boy who is psychologically damaged after discovering the body of a murder victim.
Chris Longmuir wins GBP10,000 Dundee International Book Prize for her first novel Dead Wood
* shutting down the industry's "weak sisters" is best for our industry associations--such cutting of dead wood removes bad examples from among the membership, poor foundry and management practices from the committees, and outdated thinking from the boards of directors.
Strengthening the Industry
They have to get rid of the dead wood on their books, foreclose on deadbeats, and generate whatever cash they can from the sale of assets -- even it's only twenty cents on the dollar.
Will "Convoy Capitalism" Sink Japan?
Anderson stated that CASA was currently undergoing a programme of rewarding people who perform well and 'looking for dead wood' to eradicate any cronyism that has become established in the organisation.
Australian Transport Minister supports spring clean at CASA
C: The Anvil Lopper ($32.99) is designed for pruning dry or dead wood.
Long-armed lightweights
He said he hoped that management would address these issues--as well as retire dead wood and consent to more equitable terms for dancers contracted from outside for the most demanding roles.
LETTER FROM BUENOS AIRES
Use only small pieces of dead wood found lying on the ground.
Leave-no-trace camping tips
So many trees died at the Permian's close that fungi inherited the land for a brief geologic span, feeding on the tremendous amount of dead wood covering the planet.
Global crisis: the fungi stand alone
Pruning properly should give you more flowers, fruits and general vigour, stripping away old, dead wood and diseased branches, allowing sunlight to the centre of plants to rejuvenate them for the season ahead.
THE OUTSIDERS; As everything in the garden springs into life, Hannah Stephenson offers a basic guide to pruning, to get the best out of your plants
"We had to get rid of the dead wood and hangers on."
TOON TRENDS
They cleared trees, sowed wild flower seeds and built wildlife shelters from dead wood and fallen branches.
SCOUTS did their bit to [...]
We need to get rid of the dead wood and bring in five or six quality players.
Owners have to ensure progress
He was most recently seen clearing dead wood around Linthorpe Cemetery.
TEN YEARS AGO... / You can send pictures by [...]
NEMANJA VIDIC has decided he is leaving Manchester United and now the rest of the dead wood can be chucked out too.
Bye,Vidic: take a few with you