dead end

Instead, it's more about working hard while understanding that reaching your goals takes time, and it's important to stay tuned into what others are looking for so that you're not hustling toward a dead end.

I initially faced dead end after dead end.

They chased down leads but hit dead ends, and eventually the case turned cold.

"Opera and classical music as a whole seemed to hit a kind of dead end with music that was too academic and not able to strike a chord emotionally or intellectually," he told Salon.

If you encounter a cliff, for instance, it’s likely not a dead end.