der Blindgänger
Translation
unexploded bomb, dud, failure, flop
Examples
Ein Blindgänger aus dem Krieg wurde gefunden.
An unexploded bomb from the war was found.
Der neue Mitarbeiter ist ein totaler Blindgänger.
The new employee is a total failure.
Grammar Patterns
to be a dud/failure ((ein Blindgänger sein)) The new employee is a total dud.
to turn out to be a dud/flop ((sich als Blindgänger erweisen)) The project turned out to be a complete flop.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Versager (failure), Niete (dud); Antonyms: Genie (genius), Experte (expert)
Etymology
From 'blind' (blind, not functioning) + 'Gänger' (goer, from 'gehen' - to go). Literally, something that 'goes blind' and fails to function.
Memory Tips
Picture a bomb that is 'blind' and can't 'see' to explode, or a person who 'blindly goes' about their work without success.