blind alley

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈblind ˈal•ley, n. [countable]

1. Transport a roadway open at only one end.
2. a situation offering no help, opportunity, or reward:
   Searching in our old files is a blind alley.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

blind′ al′ley, 

1. Transport 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.
• 1575–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

blind alley noun

1. an alley open at one end only; cul-de-sac
2. a situation in which no further progress can be made