dead on arrival
idiom
: having died before getting to a hospital, emergency room, etc.
The victim was dead on arrival at the hospital.
—often used figurativelySome are saying that any new tax proposal would be dead on arrival.
Examples of dead on arrival in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aides to Mayor Todd Gloria say the unsolicited Marina Village proposal is dead on arrival because housing is not permitted on public parkland.
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Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
One top official said that the question of reversal was dead on arrival and that businesses would be able to take that assurance to the bank.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
If that happens, restricted free agency will basically be dead on arrival next offseason.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Since then, the Republican-majority Senate has said the proposal is dead on arrival.
—Christen Smith, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead on arrival
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Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
One top official said that the question of reversal was dead on arrival and that businesses would be able to take that assurance to the bank.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
If that happens, restricted free agency will basically be dead on arrival next offseason.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Since then, the Republican-majority Senate has said the proposal is dead on arrival.
—Christen Smith, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead on arrival
Cite this Entry
“Dead on arrival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20on%20arrival. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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