Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dead as a doorknob

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.65 in modern English

Syllables: dead- as a -door-knob
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.

Example Sentences

"I tried the flashlight, but the battery was as dead as a doorknob."
"I found the mouse who lived in our wall, lying on his back with his feet in the air—as dead as a doorknob."

Etymology

Possibly from a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the expression dead as a doornail. See usage notes below.

Questions

What does dead as a doorknob mean?: Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.
Where does dead as a doorknob come from?: Possibly from a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the expression dead as a doornail. See usage notes below.

How to pronounce dead as a doorknob

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dead as a doorknob”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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