- Cul-de-sac - Dead end - Dead heat - Deadlock - Deadlock or stalemate - I’m old-fashioned when it comes to standoff - I’m unfashionable in an unprogressive situation
- Anaesthetise 500 Romans in a hopeless situation - Anaesthetise damaged head in a situation that can’t progress - Blind alley - Cul-de-sac - Cul-de-sac has a hopeless future - Impasse - Lacking prospects (job)