unworkables
Plans that collapse
Things that cannot be made to function or succeed.
The term typically appears in discussions of policy, plans, or ideas that have been tried and found impractical: We've eliminated the unworkables and are left with three viable options.
Sometimes used dismissively to preemptively reject proposals: File that with the other unworkables.
Things that cannot exist
- nonstartersUnviable proposals or ideas
- dead endsRoutes with no exit
- pipe dreamsFanciful, unattainable notions
- lost causesEndeavors beyond saving
failures · impracticalities · futilities · no-goes · dealbreakers · showstoppers · roadblocks · obstacles
Refuses or discards
- defectsFaults or imperfections
- dudsClothes or failures
- lemonsSour yellow citrus
- malfunctionsFailures to operate correctly
damaged goods · write-offs · scraps · salvage · unusables · discards · castoffs · seconds
Those considered unfit for work
- misfitsThose who don't belong
- incompatiblesMutually exclusive things
- rejectsRefuses or discards
- liabilitiesAmounts owed to others
nonperformers · troublemakers · square pegs · outcasts · untouchables · blacklisted · lost causes · deadweight
impossibilities
Things that cannot exist
- nonstartersUnviable proposals or ideas
- dead endsRoutes with no exit
- pipe dreamsFanciful, unattainable notions
lost causes · failures · impracticalities · futilities · no-goes · dealbreakers · showstoppers · roadblocks · obstacles · barriers
rejects
Refuses or discards
malfunctions · damaged goods · write-offs · scraps · salvage · unusables · discards · castoffs · seconds · irregulars
unemployables
Those considered unfit for work
- misfitsThose who don't belong
- incompatiblesMutually exclusive things
- rejectsRefuses or discards
liabilities · nonperformers · troublemakers · square pegs · outcasts · untouchables · blacklisted · lost causes · deadweight · noncontributors