busted flush

English

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Noun

busted flush (plural busted flushes)

1. (UK, poker) A potential flush which ultimately was not filled.

   I thought I'd draw another spade, but I ended up with a busted flush.

2. (UK, idiomatic) Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
   • 2004 May 2, Andrew Rawnsley, "Mission not accomplished," Guardian online (UK) (retrieved 14 Oct 2012):

     If this [Tony Blair] is such an utterly busted flush of a leader, why are so many Tories and their outriders so keen to have this Prime Minister gone before he can fight another election?