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Phrase Meanings » dead loss
What does "dead loss" mean?
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A total loss, as in They've changed the currency, so these old coins are a dead loss. [Early 1700s]
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A worthless person or thing; also, an utter waste of time. For example, With an injured knee he's a dead loss to the team, or It rained every day, so our week at the beach was a dead loss. [1920s]