Dead in the water Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Impasse Context Use when a situation cannot move forward because of an obstacle or disagreement. The peace talks were dead in the water due to lack of compromise. Pro Tip 2/3Not Literally Stopped It's a metaphor for lack of progress, not necessarily a physical halt. The innovation team's idea was dead in the water after the negative feedback. Pro Tip 3/3Emphasizing Failure Use it to stress the absence of progress, with a tone of finality. The bill was dead in the water after the council's unanimous vote against it.