dead in the water
US /dɛd ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər/
UK /dɛd ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər/
1.
unsuccessful and with no chance of succeeding in the future
:
•
The project was dead in the water after the main investor pulled out.
•
Without new funding, our startup will be dead in the water.