reached a dead end

USAGE SUMMARY

"reached a dead end" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used figuratively to describe a situation or state of affairs that can no longer be advanced or progressed any further. For example: "After hours of research, I've reached a dead end and am not sure what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've reached a dead end".

The New York Times

Suddenly, the car reached a dead end.

The New Yorker

I definitely had reached a dead end".

The Guardian - Film

"Orthodox medicine has reached a dead end," he told me.

The New Yorker

The inspectors believe they have reached a dead end.

The New York Times - Magazine

He felt he had reached a dead end.

The Washington Post

Who says the theater has reached a dead end?

The New York Times

This time, he said, "we've reached a dead end".

The New York Times

"Then he reached a dead end," Professor Simonton said.

The New York Times

This essay challenges the conventional wisdom that American labor law has reached a dead end.

Harvard University

Collision Course For Democrats, the election-year economic debate has often reached a dead end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reached a dead end", ensure the context clearly indicates what process, project, or effort has stalled. Provide context for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reached a dead end" when a temporary setback occurs. This phrase implies a more permanent or insurmountable obstacle, not just a minor delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a dead end" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing the state of a subject (project, negotiation, investigation) having come to a point where no further progress is possible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached a dead end" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations where progress has halted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of finality. When using "reached a dead end", ensure the context is clear and that the situation truly represents an insurmountable obstacle rather than a temporary setback. Alternatives such as "hit a standstill" or "arrived at an impasse" may offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit a standstill

This alternative suggests a complete cessation of movement or progress.

come to a standstill

This alternative suggests a complete cessation of movement or progress.

arrived at an impasse

This alternative implies a situation where no agreement or solution can be reached.

encountered a roadblock

This alternative suggests an obstacle that prevents further progress.

met an obstacle

This alternative suggests an obstacle that prevents further progress.

reached an impasse

This alternative emphasizes a stalemate in negotiations or discussions.

come to a halt

This alternative indicates a sudden stop in activity or progress.

ground to a halt

This alternative suggests a gradual slowing down to a complete stop.

failed to progress

This alternative focuses on the lack of advancement or development.

deadlocked

This alternative implies a situation where opposing sides are unable to reach an agreement.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something has "reached a dead end"?

Saying that something has "reached a dead end" means that it has come to a point where further progress or advancement is impossible, suggesting a conclusive halt.

How can I use "reached a dead end" in a sentence?

You can use "reached a dead end" to describe situations where efforts have stalled, such as, "The negotiations "reached a dead end" after months of discussion."

What are some alternatives to saying "reached a dead end"?

Alternatives include "hit a standstill", "arrived at an impasse", or "encountered a roadblock", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "reached a dead end" in formal writing?

Yes, "reached a dead end" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and widely understood idiom. However, consider more formal alternatives like "arrived at an impasse" in highly formal contexts.