The phrase "dead broke" is commonly used to describe a person who is completely out of money. The word "dead" is pronounced with a short "e" sound as in "bed" and a silent "d." The word "broke" is pronounced with a long "o" sound as in "road" and a silent "e" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for "dead broke" is /dɛd broʊk/. It's important to spell and pronounce words correctly to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Dead broke is an idiomatic expression used to describe a person who has absolutely no money or financial resources. When someone is dead broke, they are entirely devoid of any funds and are often faced with significant financial difficulties. The term "dead" in this context intensifies the lack of funds to emphasize complete destitution.
This phrase is commonly used to convey an extreme state of financial hardship or insolvency. It describes a situation wherein an individual lacks the means to meet even their basic financial obligations, struggling to pay for necessities such as food, rent, bills, or debts. Being dead broke implies that there are no available resources or assets that could be immediately accessed to provide relief from the financial crisis.
The term "dead broke" originated from the combination of the word "dead," meaning lifeless or non-existent, with "broke," a colloquial term for being completely devoid of money. This expression is typically used informally in conversation, often reflecting a sense of urgency or distress about an individual's financial state.
As a figure of speech, dead broke does not necessarily mean a permanent state of destitution. It is possible for someone who is currently dead broke to recover their finances and improve their economic situation. However, at the time of being described as dead broke, the individual lacks any immediate financial resources or prospects for quick recovery.
The phrase "dead broke" originally emerged in the early 19th century, with each word carrying its own etymology. The term "dead" in this context is used as an intensifier to emphasize the severity or completeness of a certain state. It has been used in various phrases to convey absolute or extreme conditions. The root of "dead" can be traced back to Old English, where it primarily meant "completely" or "thoroughly". Over time, it evolved to be used as an intensifier in different idiomatic expressions.The word "broke" originated from the Old English word "broc", which meant "to break", "to violate", or "to destroy". It was often used to describe something that was damaged or ruined. In the context of being "dead broke", "broke" refers to a person's financial state of being without any money or funds, hence being financially broken or ruined.