Dead-end job
Meaning: A job with no opportunities for advancement, growth, or career development.
A dead-end job is one where you're stuck — no promotions, no raises, no skill development. It's a common frustration in American work culture and is often the motivation for career changes. The metaphor of a dead-end road perfectly captures the feeling of going nowhere.
Examples
- I quit my dead-end job at the warehouse and went back to school. 我辞掉了仓库那份没前途的工作,回去上学了。Dejé mi trabajo sin futuro en el almacén y volví a estudiar.倉庫の将来性のない仕事を辞めて、学校に戻ったんだ。창고의 막다른 직업을 그만두고 다시 학교에 갔어.
- She's stuck in a dead-end job with no room for promotion. 她困在一份没有升职空间的死胡同工作里。Está atrapada en un trabajo sin salida y sin posibilidad de ascenso.彼女は昇進の余地がないデッドエンドジョブにはまっている。그녀는 승진할 여지가 없는 막다른 직업에 갇혀 있다.
- Don't settle for a dead-end job — you deserve better. 不要将就一份没前途的工作——你值得更好的。No te conformes con un trabajo sin futuro: te mereces algo mejor.将来性のない仕事で妥協しちゃだめだ――あなたにはもっといい仕事がふさわしい。막다른 직업에 안주하지 마 — 너는 더 좋은 것을 받을 자격이 있어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: career, frustration, motivation
Tone: frustrated, resigned
✓ Do Say
- I can't work another dead-end job.我再也不想做没前途的工作了。No puedo trabajar en otro empleo sin futuro.もうデッドエンドジョブでは働けないよ。막다른 직업은 더 이상 못 하겠어.
- That sounds like a dead-end job to me.在我看来那就是份死胡同工作。Eso me suena a un trabajo sin salida.それは将来性のない仕事に聞こえるな。그건 막다른 직업 같은데.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't describe your current job this way to your boss or coworkers不要在老板或同事面前这样形容你现在的工作No describas así tu trabajo actual delante de tu jefe o tus compañeros上司や同僚の前で自分の今の仕事をこう表現しないこと상사나 동료 앞에서 자신의 현재 직업을 이렇게 묘사하지 말 것
Origin & History
American expression from the mid-20th century, borrowing the 'dead end' traffic term. Reflects the American cultural emphasis on upward mobility and career advancement.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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