← Back to collection
Region: General | Usage example: The outdated system was dead weight for the team.

Dead weight

Meaning

Something or someone that is burdensome.

Usage

Used when describing inefficiencies.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Maritime term for inert cargo.

Used in management critiques since early industrialization.

Related Idioms

Dead ringer

Someone or something nearly identical.

Beat a dead horse

Waste effort on something already decided.

Dead heat

An exact tie in a contest.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.