The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 plus 3 letter word DEAD END
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
E
A
D
E
N
D
More clues leading to the result DEAD END
- Precise purpose, but no prospect of progress here
- Demanded changes after Mike leaves cul-de-sac
- Complete before the last part in which further progress is impossible
- A hideout in semi-wooded cul-de-sac
- Very close to stalemate
- Seeing late goal, one’s going nowhere
- Late finish? There’s no way out of it
- Late goal that leads nowhere
- Half-hearted action about a study that’s leading nowhere
- Hopeless situation somehow saddened society missing out
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in which further progress is impossible" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in which further progress is impossible = dead end.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DEAD END mean?
DEAD END noun- A road with no exit.
- (by extension) A position that offers no hope of progress.
- To come to a dead-end.
- Going nowhere; blocked.