nonstarter

/ˈnɑnˈstɑrtər/

Other forms: nonstarters

Someone who's a nonstarter never seems to succeed or achieve their goals. A baseball player who strikes out every single time he's up at bat is a nonstarter.

A political candidate who loses every election is a nonstarter, and an entrepreneur whose businesses keep failing is also a nonstarter. You can also use this word to describe a plan or idea that's just never going to work: "I can see why you'd want to bring your pony to school, but I think it's a nonstarter." The original meaning of nonstarter was a horse unable to run in a race at the last minute.

Definitions of nonstarter

1. noun

   an idea or plan that has no chance of being successful
   type of:

   failure

   an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose
2. noun

   a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
   synonyms: failure, loser, unsuccessful person

   types:

   bankrupt, insolvent

   someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts

   flash in the pan

   someone who enjoys transient success but then fails

   clunker, dud, flop, washout

   someone who is unsuccessful

   underdog

   one at a disadvantage and expected to lose

   type of:

   unfortunate, unfortunate person

   a person who suffers misfortune
3. noun

   a horse that fails to run in a race for which it has been entered
   type of:

   bangtail, race horse, racehorse

   a horse bred for racing