Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
dead man walking. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
dead man walking, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
dead man walking in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
dead man walking you have here. The definition of the word
dead man walking will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
dead man walking, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
A phrase traditionally used in U.S. prisons to announce a condemned prisoner being walked to the place of execution.[1] Its use has expanded as a euphemism for anyone facing an impending and unavoidable loss.
Pronunciation
Noun
dead man walking (plural dead men walking)
- A condemned prisoner walking to a death chamber or other place of execution.
1996, Stephen King, The Green Mile:It was Percy Wetmore who ushered Coffey onto the block, with the supposedly traditional cry of “Dead man walking! Dead man walking here!”
- Someone who is soon to die.
2010, Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen and Unwin, page 231:"So, arrest me," Cummings said. "The fuck do I care? I'm a dead man walking."
- (figurative) Someone who is about to face an unavoidable loss (though the person may not realize it).
- (meteorology, slang) A multivortex tornado typically appearing in the form of a human figure walking.
Derived terms
See also
References