be dead in the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be dead in the" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in various contexts, often implying a state of being lifeless or inactive, but it requires additional words to form a complete thought. Example: "If you keep ignoring your health, you might as well be dead in the water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be dead in the water.

The New York Times - Magazine

might be dead in the water in this one.

The New York Times

"I thought we would be dead in the boat.

The Guardian

The sitcom was widely believed to be dead in the early 1980s.

The Economist

I believe if Hillary Clinton had won the election we would be dead in the water.

The Washington Post

Some others are thought to have escaped and scores more may be dead in the basement.

The New York Times

Clegg may be dead in the water politically, but this musical, suitably trimmed, definitely has legs.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, you and I are going to be dead in the water".

The Guardian

If we relied on two or three players, we'd be dead in the water".

The Guardian - Sport

Farming would be dead in the water if we left the EU.

The Guardian - Music

All our initiatives would be dead in the water, and I wouldn't be able to implement your foreign policy.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be dead in the water", ensure the context clearly indicates that something has failed to progress or is no longer viable. It's often used to describe projects, plans, or ideas that have lost momentum or support.

Common error

Avoid using "be dead in the water" literally. The phrase is idiomatic and refers to a lack of progress or viability, not literal death or water. Using it in contexts involving actual death or water can be confusing or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be dead in the" primarily functions as part of an idiomatic expression, most commonly seen as "dead in the water". It contributes to a predicate, describing a state of stagnation, ineffectiveness, or failure. Ludwig's examples illustrate diverse contexts where this phrase is used to depict initiatives or situations that have lost momentum or viability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be dead in the" most commonly appears as part of the idiom "dead in the water", signifying a state of stagnation, failure, or lack of progress. Ludwig's analysis reveals it to be grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. Its register is primarily neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase conveys a sense of something ceasing to be active or promising. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning of stalled progress or viability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be stillborn

This alternative directly implies failure from the outset, suggesting a lack of viability from the beginning.

be a failure

This alternative focuses on the outcome, suggesting a lack of success rather than a state of inactivity.

be a lost cause

This suggests that the situation is beyond hope or redemption, implying that further effort is pointless.

be doomed to fail

This alternative emphasizes the inevitability of failure, adding a sense of predestination.

not stand a chance

This alternative suggests a lack of opportunity for success, emphasizing the overwhelming odds against it.

come to nothing

This emphasizes the lack of results or progress, suggesting that efforts were wasted.

be scuppered

This implies that plans or efforts have been deliberately ruined or thwarted.

be in vain

This alternative highlights the futility of an action or effort, emphasizing the lack of positive outcome.

be kaput

Implies something is broken or finished, losing its functionality.

grind to a halt

This alternative focuses on the cessation of progress or activity, indicating a complete stop.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "dead in the water"?

When a project, plan, or idea is described as "dead in the water", it means that it has failed to progress or is no longer viable. It's an idiomatic expression implying a lack of momentum or support.

How can I use "be dead in the water" in a sentence?

You can use "be dead in the water" to describe situations where progress has stalled or an initiative has lost its effectiveness. For example, "Without funding, the project will "be dead in the water"."

Are there any alternatives to saying something is "dead in the water"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "be a failure", "come to nothing", or "be a lost cause" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

What's the difference between "dead in the water" and "sunk"?

"Dead in the water" implies a lack of progress or viability, while "sunk" suggests a complete and irreversible failure. Something that is "dead in the water" might potentially be revived, whereas something that is "sunk" is considered to be completely lost.