deadwoods
Unproductive group members
Deadwoods is the plural of deadwood—dead branches still attached to a tree, or trees that have died but remain standing.
The figurative sense dominates: people or things that are no longer useful or productive.
The new manager cleared out the deadwoods in the department.
In bowling, deadwood refers to pins that remain on the lane after being knocked down.
Limbs of trees
- limbsBody's major appendages
- twigsThin woody shoots
- snagsUnforeseen complications
- brushBristled cleaning tool
timber · kindling · firewood · fallen · withered · decayed · rotting · clearing
Oppressive weight or duty
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- dragResistance through fluid
liability · albatross · millstone · anchor · ballast · baggage · handicap · bottleneck
No longer in use
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- superannuatedMade obsolete by age
old-fashioned · bygone · passe · dated · anachronistic · fossilized · relic · defunct
Poor at using resources
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- stagnantWithout movement or progress
- nonproductiveNot yielding useful results
dormant · underperforming · freeloaders · slackers · passengers · coasters · hangers-on · drones
branches
Limbs of trees
brush · timber · kindling · firewood · fallen · withered · decayed · rotting · clearing · thinning
burden
Oppressive weight or duty
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
drag · liability · albatross · millstone · anchor · ballast · baggage · handicap · bottleneck · blocker
outdated
No longer in use
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
superannuated · old-fashioned · bygone · passe · dated · anachronistic · fossilized · relic · defunct · expired
inefficient
Poor at using resources
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- stagnantWithout movement or progress
nonproductive · dormant · underperforming · freeloaders · slackers · passengers · coasters · hangers-on · drones · loafers
deadwoodsassets
Owned items of value
contributors · producers · performers · achievers · go-getters
deadwoodslive wires
Highly energetic people
dynamos · fresh blood · new blood · rising stars · up-and-comers