dead weight

• Persona o cosa que supone una carga o un obstáculo, que no aporta utilidad ni valor a un grupo, proyecto o situación.

A person or thing that is a burden or hindrance, providing no useful contribution or value to a group, project, or situation.

1. Heavy burdenB1formal

   A person or thing that is very heavy and difficult to move or carry.

   peso muerto

   • The movers struggled to lift the dead weight of the piano.
   • Carrying the dead weight of the wet logs exhausted him.
   • The anchor felt like dead weight as he pulled it up.

2. Useless or unproductive personB2informal

   A person who contributes nothing useful and is a burden to others.

   Peso muerto

   • He's been dead weight on the team since he stopped trying.
   • She felt like dead weight in the group project.
   • The manager decided to let go of the dead weight in the department.

3. Unnecessary burdenB2informal

   Something that slows progress or causes difficulty without providing benefit.

   Peso muerto

   • The outdated equipment was dead weight for the company.
   • Old habits can become dead weight in personal growth.
   • The extra paperwork felt like dead weight in the process.