blind alley
1 of 1noun/ˈblaɪnd ˈæli/
Forms:blind alleys
1
a course or situation that yields no useful results
The origin of the idiom "blind alley" is uncertain, but it may be related to the idea of a street or alley that has no outlet or exit, forcing anyone who enters it to turn back. The phrase has been in use in English since the early 19th century, and it has been applied to a wide range of situations, including business ventures, relationships, and investigative efforts. In general, the phrase is used to describe a situation where there is no way forward, and further effort or investment is unlikely to produce any positive results.
- The company's marketing strategy was a blind alley, with no increase in sales or customer engagement.
- The investigation had hit a blind alley, with no new leads or evidence to pursue.
- The student's approach to studying was a blind alley, with no improvement in their grades or understanding of the subject.
- The team's tactics were a blind alley, with no way to score or win the game.
2
a passage or street allowing entry and exit from one end
- Their house is tucked away at the end of a quiet blind alley.
- The taxi turned into a blind alley and had to reverse out.
- Children played safely in the blind alley, away from traffic.
- The hotel was located just off a narrow blind alley.
- We got lost and ended up in a blind alley with no way through.
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