cul-de-sac Definition
- 1a street or passage closed at one end
- 2a situation in which further progress is impossible
Using cul-de-sac: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cul-de-sac" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The house is located at the end of a cul-de-sac.
Example
We've reached a cul-de-sac in our negotiations.
Example
The project has come to a cul-de-sac due to lack of funding.
cul-de-sac Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for cul-de-sac
- impasse
- dead end
- blind alley
- no through road
Phrases with cul-de-sac
a point in life where progress seems impossible or difficult
Example
After losing his job, he felt like he was stuck in a cul-de-sac of life.
a mindset that is narrow and limited, with no room for growth or progress
Example
Some people have a cul-de-sac mentality that prevents them from trying new things or taking risks.
a point in history where progress seems impossible or difficult
Example
The country is currently in a cul-de-sac of history, with political tensions and economic challenges.
Origins of cul-de-sac
from French 'cul-de-sac', meaning 'bottom of a sack'
Summary: cul-de-sac in Brief
The term 'cul-de-sac' [ˈkʊl də sæk] refers to a street or passage closed at one end, or a situation in which further progress is impossible. It is often used to describe physical locations, such as 'The house is located at the end of a cul-de-sac,' but can also be applied to abstract concepts, such as 'We've reached a cul-de-sac in our negotiations.' Other phrases include 'cul-de-sac of life,' 'cul-de-sac mentality,' and 'cul-de-sac of history,' all denoting points where progress seems impossible or difficult.