Up a Blind Alley (Origin)

search our site by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Up a Blind Alley"?

The term "going up a blind alley" means heading towards uncertainty or the unknown, i.e., progressing without any clue of how the situation will develop.

Examples of Use:

• I know we're heading up a blind alley, but let's keep going.
• We're going up a blind alley here. There is no information about what lies ahead.
• This might go well, or it might go badly. We're going up a blind alley.

The idiom "up a blind alley" originates from the turn of the 19th century (evidence). It refers to an alley whose ending is unknown (e.g., the alley might suddenly end with a brick wall, or it might open out onto a buzzing main road). Whatever the case, those standing at the entrance of the alley cannot see its end (i.e., they are "blind").

The word "blind" is used in a similar way in the term "blind bend" (one that drivers cannot see around) and "blind junction" (one that hides approaching traffic).

Previous and Next Sayings

Test Your Knowledge of English Proverbs and Idioms

Ready for the Test?

More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms