blind alley

blind alley
1. a road, alley, etc., that is open at only one end.
2. a position or situation offering no hope of progress or improvement: That line of reasoning will only lead you up another blind alley.
[1575-85]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Blind alley — Blind Blind, a. [AS.; akin to D., G., OS., Sw., & Dan. blind, Icel. blindr, Goth. blinds; of uncertain origin.] 1. Destitute of the sense of seeing, either by natural defect or by deprivation; without sight. [1913 Webster] He that is strucken… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • blind alley — blind alleys N COUNT If you describe a situation as a blind alley, you mean that progress is not possible or that the situation can have no useful results. We are all now beginning to appreciate that this type of music is a blind alley. Syn: dead …   English dictionary

  • blind alley — noun count 1. ) a process that was expected to bring useful results but in fact achieves nothing: Unfortunately the research turned out to be a blind alley. 2. ) a narrow path between or behind buildings, that is closed at one end …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • blind alley — n. 1. an alley or passage shut off at one end 2. any undertaking, idea, etc. that leads to nothing …   English World dictionary

  • blind alley — n 1.) a small narrow street with no way out at one end 2.) a way of doing something that seems as if it will have a successful result, but which in fact does not ▪ False information has led the police up a series of blind alleys …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Blind Alley — For other uses, see Blind Alley (disambiguation). Blind Alley Author Isaac Asimov Country United States Language English Series Empire Series …   Wikipedia

  • blind alley — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms blind alley : singular blind alley plural blind alleys 1) a process that was expected to bring useful results but in fact achieves nothing This type of research turned out to be a blind alley. 2) a narrow path… …   English dictionary

  • blind alley — {n.} 1. A narrow street that has only one entrance and no exit. * /The blind alley ended in a brick wall./ 2. A way of acting that leads to no good results. * /John did not take the job because it was a blind alley./ * /Tom thought of a way to do …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • blind alley — {n.} 1. A narrow street that has only one entrance and no exit. * /The blind alley ended in a brick wall./ 2. A way of acting that leads to no good results. * /John did not take the job because it was a blind alley./ * /Tom thought of a way to do …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • blind\ alley — noun 1. A narrow street that has only one entrance and no exit. The blind alley ended in a brick wall. 2. A way of acting that leads to no good results. John did not take the job because it was a blind alley. Tom thought of a way to do the… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • blind alley —    If you go up a blind alley, you follow an ineffective course of action which leads nowhere or produces no results.     The suspect s revelations lead the police up a blind alley …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”