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
Among those brought to the medical group were two men who were already dead on arrival, another man who died while being transferred, 10 women — one of whom died en route to the charity’s trauma hospital in Tabarre — and three children who did not survive their injuries.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
The movie star was rushed to Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
But fee transparency requirements could disappear, and the European-style compensation rule is dead on arrival.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Aides to Mayor Todd Gloria say the unsolicited Marina Village proposal is dead on arrival because housing is not permitted on public parkland.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
The movie star was rushed to Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
But fee transparency requirements could disappear, and the European-style compensation rule is dead on arrival.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Aides to Mayor Todd Gloria say the unsolicited Marina Village proposal is dead on arrival because housing is not permitted on public parkland.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 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 4 Oct. 2025.
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