Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dead-men's-shoes

idiom

/dɛd mɛn z ʃuz/

Definition

A phrase that implies a position or inheritance is only attainable by the death of the current holder.

Examples

He never thought he would get the promotion, believing it was just dead men’s shoes waiting for someone to pass away.
The only way they would inherit the family fortune was through dead men’s shoes.
She joked that in the competitive world of politics, many were just waiting for dead men’s shoes to make their move.

Meaning

This expression typically refers to a situation where one must wait for someone else to die in order to take their place or gain from their position. It can be used metaphorically in various contexts, such as jobs or wealth.