blind alley

American  

noun

1. a road, alley, etc., that is open at only one end.

2. a position or situation offering no hope of progress or improvement.

   That line of reasoning will only lead you up another blind alley.

---

blind alley British  

noun

1. an alley open at one end only; cul-de-sac

2. informal a situation in which no further progress can be made

---

blind alley Idioms  

1. A dead end; a position without hope of progress or success. For example, That line of questioning led the attorney up yet another blind alley. This term alludes to a street or alley that has no outlet at one end. [Mid-1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of blind alley

First recorded in 1575–85