Phrase guide

dead as a doorknob

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: simile

Examples

  • I tried the flashlight, but the battery was as dead as a doorknob.
  • I found the mouse who lived in our wall, lying on his back with his feet in the air—as dead as a doorknob.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Possibly from a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the expression dead as a doornail. See usage notes below.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: død som en sild — unquestionably dead (see here)
  • Finnish: kuollut kuin kivi — unquestionably dead (see here)
  • Norwegian Bokmål: død som en sild — unquestionably dead (see here)