a deadbeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deadbeat" is a grammatically correct construction and can be used in written English.
You can use "a deadbeat" when referring to someone who does not fulfill their financial or social obligations or who is generally unreliable or lazy. For example: - My ex-boyfriend was such a deadbeat. He never had a job and always asked me for money. - The company had to let go of several employees who were just deadbeats and didn't contribute anything to the team. - I can't stand the deadbeats who refuse to pay child support, leaving the burden on the custodial parent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Am I a deadbeat?

The New York Times

And we are not a deadbeat nation.

The New York Times

We are not a deadbeat nation.

The New York Times

What do you call a deadbeat uncle-dad?

The New York Times

"They're not bad people; it's not a deadbeat scenario.

The New York Times

If it happens, he said, "America becomes a deadbeat".

The New York Times

Play a deadbeat, a fraud, a confidence trickster, be grubby.

The Guardian - Film

They treat me like a deadbeat dad, to be honest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he did not want to feel like a deadbeat.

The New York Times

Apparently, being a deadbeat didn't hurt Tonken's political prospects.

The Washington Post

We developed a deadbeat foot placement hopping controller for an untethered monopedal robot, Salto-1P.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like child support or debt, consider using "a deadbeat" to add emotional impact, but balance this with objective reporting to avoid bias.

Common error

Avoid using "a deadbeat" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral and objective term like "delinquent" or "non-payer" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deadbeat" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or an appositive, to describe a person who shirks responsibilities, especially financial ones. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a label applied to individuals perceived as failing to meet societal expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "a deadbeat" is used to describe an individual who consistently fails to meet their responsibilities, particularly financial ones. Grammatically sound, this phrase is most often used in informal contexts like news reporting, as confirmed by Ludwig. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use it, the term carries a strong negative connotation, making it unsuitable for professional communication. Alternatives such as "irresponsible person" or "delinquent" may be more appropriate depending on the context. When used, "a deadbeat" serves to express disapproval or assign blame, highlighting a perceived lack of reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a delinquent

Suggests a failure to meet obligations, often financial or legal.

an irresponsible person

Emphasizes the lack of responsibility, shifting focus from financial obligations to general irresponsibility.

an unreliable individual

Focuses on the lack of dependability and trustworthiness.

a freeloader

Highlights the aspect of relying on others for support without contributing.

a good-for-nothing

A more general term implying worthlessness and lack of ambition or usefulness.

a ne'er-do-well

A more formal term for someone who is unlikely to succeed or be useful.

a shirker

Emphasizes the avoidance of duties or responsibilities.

a slacker

Implies laziness and lack of effort, particularly in work or studies.

a loafer

Focuses on the aspect of laziness and avoiding work.

a bum

A more informal and potentially offensive term for someone who is unemployed and often homeless.

FAQs

How can I use "a deadbeat" in a sentence?

You can use "a deadbeat" to describe someone who avoids their responsibilities, especially financial ones. For example, "He was "a deadbeat dad" who never paid child support."

What are some synonyms for "a deadbeat"?

Alternatives include "irresponsible person", "good-for-nothing", or "freeloader", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "a deadbeat" a formal or informal term?

"A deadbeat" is generally considered an informal term. In more formal contexts, consider using terms like "delinquent" or "non-compliant".

What is the difference between "a deadbeat" and "delinquent"?

"A deadbeat" is more informal and carries a stronger negative connotation, often implying moral failing. "Delinquent" is more formal and simply refers to someone who is behind on payments or obligations.