dead man walking

English

Etymology

A phrase traditionally used in U.S. prisons to announce a condemned prisoner being walked to the place of execution. Its use has expanded as a euphemism for anyone facing an impending and unavoidable loss.

Noun

dead man walking (plural dead men walking)

1. 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!”

2. 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."

3. (figurative) Someone who is about to face an unavoidable loss (though the person may not realize it).

Derived terms

• dead woman walking
• dead person walking

See also

• lame duck