dead man walking

Meaning

Noun

• A condemned prisoner walking to a death chamber or other place of execution.
• Someone who is soon to die.
• Someone who is about to face an unavoidable loss (though the person may not realize it).

Origin

• 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.