a dead loss
a dead loss
1. One who is unsuccessful in a certain area or pursuit. My drawing is a mess—I'm a dead loss as an artist. Don't put him on our team, he's a dead loss at basketball!
2. A complete loss or failure, usually financially. I'm not surprised that venture turned out to be a dead loss—I always thought the owner was a fraud. I thought I could reconcile with my mother, but our phone call was a dead loss.
See also: dead, loss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
dead loss
a total loss. My investment was a dead loss. This car is a dead loss after the accident.
See also: dead, loss
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
dead loss
1. A total loss, as in They've changed the currency, so these old coins are a dead loss. [Early 1700s]
2. A worthless person or thing; also, an utter waste of time. For example, With an injured knee he's a dead loss to the team, or It rained every day, so our week at the beach was a dead loss. [1920s]
See also: dead, loss
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a dead loss
If you describe someone or something as a dead loss, you think that they are completely useless. For them the nearly-new car is a dead loss because it loses value more quickly. I have always been a dead loss at competitive sports and games.
See also: dead, loss
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a dead ˈloss
a person or thing that is useless or a complete failure: This television is a dead loss; the picture fades completely after five minutes.See also: dead, loss
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- dead loss
- loss
- dead certain
- dead president
- president
- wait for dead men's shoes
- quick and the dead
- quick and the dead, the
- the quick and the dead
- dead on arrival