a non-starter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a non-starter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an idea, proposal, or plan that is not feasible or cannot be considered further. Example: "The suggestion to cut the budget by 50% is a non-starter; we need to maintain our current funding levels to operate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fundraising is a non-starter.

Independent

A non-starter.

The Guardian - Money

Lean manufacturing is a non-starter.

The Economist

But it is a non-starter.

The Economist

The money was a non-starter".

Independent

"Veggie Day" seems like a non-starter.

Independent

Text-messaging was a non-starter.

The Economist

That's just a non-starter".

The Guardian - Film

Moyes looks a non-starter.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a non-starter.

The Guardian

But this one's a non-starter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a non-starter" when you want to express that an idea or plan is completely unfeasible from the outset. It's stronger than saying something is simply 'difficult'.

Common error

Avoid using "a non-starter" when you mean something is merely challenging or inconvenient. This phrase signifies a complete lack of feasibility, not just a minor obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a non-starter" functions as a predicate nominative or subject complement, describing a noun or idea as unfeasible or impossible. Ludwig examples confirm its use to classify proposals, plans, or ideas as having no chance of success. It often follows linking verbs such as 'is', 'seems', or 'looks'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a non-starter" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe something deemed completely unfeasible or impossible from the beginning. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to express strong rejection of ideas, proposals, or plans, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it can be used in informal settings, it is often found in more neutral and professional communications. The phrase carries a strong connotation of impossibility and should not be used lightly for situations that are simply challenging but not entirely unworkable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of the question

Indicates something is not allowed or possible, similar to being a non-starter.

not an option

Suggests a lack of viability as a choice, similar to "a non-starter".

unfeasible

Directly describes something as not practical or possible to do.

impractical

Similar to unfeasible, highlighting a lack of practicality.

not viable

Emphasizes that something cannot succeed or work effectively.

unworkable

Suggests that something is not capable of being put into practice successfully.

off the table

Indicates that a proposal or idea is no longer being considered.

ruled out

Means that something has been dismissed or excluded from consideration.

dead end

Describes something that leads to no progress or result.

no go

Informal way of saying something is not allowed or will not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "a non-starter" in a sentence?

Use "a non-starter" to describe something that is not feasible or will not work from the beginning. For example: "The proposal to cut funding is "a non-starter" because it would cripple our operations."

What's a less formal alternative to "a non-starter"?

Less formal alternatives include "no go" or "off the table". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for more casual conversations.

Which is correct, "non starter" or "a non-starter"?

"A non-starter" is the correct and commonly used form. "Non starter" without the article "a" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Is "a non-starter" the same as "not an option"?

While similar, "a non-starter" often implies a more immediate and fundamental impossibility than "not an option". A non-starter suggests the idea is dead on arrival, whereas "not an option" might imply it was considered but rejected.