To lose hope, to become hopeless about success
Etymology:
- This idiom was first used in a book in the mid 14th century. May be, its origin is associated with the metal plate known as a doornail. Door knocker hits the doornail for unlimited times due to which it has its life knocked out of it. This expression could also be used for something that is out of date or becomes extinct.
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When Mike left this show, the class play was as dead as a doornail.
Submitted on February 25, 2019
Additional definitions for 'Dead as a Doornail':
| dead as a doornail | Unquestionably dead. Used for both inanimate objects and once living beings. |
Translation
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mort ca un vârf de ușă
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Nearby phrases
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"Dead as a Doornail." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/dead-as-a-doornail_44601>.
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