non-starter
nounEtymology From non- + starter.
1
Someone or something who was listed to start in a race, but did not start in the race.
2
Something that is destined to fail from the outset; an impractical scheme.
- Whatever is decided, it is clear that Crossrail 2 must be regarded as a non-starter for the foreseeable future.2020 December 2, Industry Insider, “The costs of cutting carbon”, in Rail, page 76:
3
Idiomatic An idea or argument that cannot be sensibly debated.
- Related terms
- no go