Dead water

Meaning

A situation where motion is resisted by hidden forces.

Usage

Used when progress is stalled unexpectedly.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Nautical term describing calm pockets that slow ships.

Used by sailors before broadening to business talk.