cul-de-sac
UK: ˌkʊl də ˈsæk | US: ˌkʊl də ˈsæk
n. 1. A dead-end street or passage, especially one with a closed end.
n. 2. A situation or course of action that leads to no further progress.
The term "cul-de-sac" originates from French, literally meaning "bottom of the bag." It metaphorically describes a street or path that resembles the closed end of a bag, offering no exit. The word entered English in the 18th century, retaining its original French spelling and structure. The morphemes "cul" (bottom), "de" (of), and "sac" (bag) combine to vividly depict a dead-end scenario, whether literal (a street) or figurative (a stagnant situation).
The house was located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.
The investigation hit a cul-de-sac when all leads turned out to be false.
Urban planners often design neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs to reduce traffic.
Their relationship had reached a cul-de-sac, with no way forward.
The alley turned out to be a cul-de-sac, forcing us to retrace our steps.