non-starter
Idea going nowhere
A non-starter is an idea, proposal, or plan that has no chance of succeeding or being accepted.
The proposal to cut benefits was a non-starter with the union.
The term comes from horse racing, where a non-starter is a horse entered in a race but withdrawn before the start.
In everyday use, calling something a non-starter dismisses it as not worth pursuing or discussing further—it's dead on arrival.
Passage without exit
- impasseSituation without resolution
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- waste of timeUnproductive expenditure of hours
- pointlessLacking any purpose
fruitless · hopeless · doomed · unworkable · unviable · infeasible · impracticable · unrealistic
Complete commercial failure
- dudFailed device or effort
- bustFailure or sculpture
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
turkey · bomb · lemon · loser · misfire · fizzle · clunker · stinker
Unacceptable condition that ends talks
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
- turndownAct of declining
- refusalAct of declining
- dismissalRemoval from position
rebuff · thumbs-down · ruled out · off the table · shot down · nixed · scrapped · shelved
Obstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- blockerSomething that obstructs
snag · hitch · catch · sticking point · objection · hurdle · impediment · dealbreaker
dead-end
Passage without exit
- impasseSituation without resolution
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- waste of timeUnproductive expenditure of hours
pointless · fruitless · hopeless · doomed · unworkable · unviable · infeasible · impracticable · unrealistic · unachievable
flop
Complete commercial failure
washout · turkey · bomb · lemon · loser · misfire · fizzle · clunker · stinker · also-ran
dealbreaker
Unacceptable condition that ends talks
dismissal · rebuff · thumbs-down · ruled out · off the table · shot down · nixed · scrapped · shelved · blackballed
roadblock
Obstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
blocker · snag · hitch · catch · sticking point · objection · hurdle · impediment · dealbreaker · disqualifier
non-starterwinner
One who prevails
sure thing · success · safe bet · good bet · going concern
non-startercontender
One competing seriously
favorite · competitor · dark horse · frontrunner · front-runner
non-starterrunaway success
Overwhelming, unexpected triumph
hit · blockbuster · breakthrough · slam dunk · home run