lead nowhere
idiom
: to not be helpful in finding a solution to something
The investigation into the murder was leading nowhere.
Examples of lead nowhere in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the strands lead nowhere.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Suddenly, Wednesday and Weems are shown in a dream-like outdoor area with a door that appears to lead nowhere and a massive gorgon head statue with a fireplace in the mouth.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
There the walls are plywood, the doors lead nowhere, and there are no backrooms.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Despite that, amidst all the chaotic tonal wobbles, jumpy pacing, and big ideas that lead nowhere, Chappie — maybe subconsciously — finds a voice for itself that's sincere and refreshingly human for a studio tentpole attempting to make big statements.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Putting pressure on China or threatening China will lead nowhere.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Send specific connection requests Random connection requests lead nowhere.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The menacing beach location where people become trapped and age at hyper-accelerated rates buries murky secrets that lead nowhere, amounting to a movie whose worst crime is being boring.
—Dan Heching, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024
Murthy’s advisory gives a similar impression of being a first step on a path that might lead nowhere.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
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Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Suddenly, Wednesday and Weems are shown in a dream-like outdoor area with a door that appears to lead nowhere and a massive gorgon head statue with a fireplace in the mouth.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
There the walls are plywood, the doors lead nowhere, and there are no backrooms.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Despite that, amidst all the chaotic tonal wobbles, jumpy pacing, and big ideas that lead nowhere, Chappie — maybe subconsciously — finds a voice for itself that's sincere and refreshingly human for a studio tentpole attempting to make big statements.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Putting pressure on China or threatening China will lead nowhere.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Send specific connection requests Random connection requests lead nowhere.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The menacing beach location where people become trapped and age at hyper-accelerated rates buries murky secrets that lead nowhere, amounting to a movie whose worst crime is being boring.
—Dan Heching, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024
Murthy’s advisory gives a similar impression of being a first step on a path that might lead nowhere.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Lead nowhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20nowhere. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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