You can't rely on Jim's support. He's a broken reed.
•Mr. Smith is a broken reed. His deputy has to make all the decisions.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
broken reed — If something or someone fails to give you the support you were hoping for, they are a broken reed … The small dictionary of idiomes
broken reed — noun : something or someone that fails when relied on for support or help * * * broken reed (figurative) A person who is too weak or unreliable to be depended upon • • • Main Entry: ↑reed … Useful english dictionary
broken reed — broken stick, broken staff, broken rod … English contemporary dictionary
broken reed — noun see reed … English new terms dictionary
Broken — Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a broken… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Broken ground — Broken Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Broken line — Broken Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Broken meat — Broken Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Broken number — Broken Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Broken weather — Broken Bro ken (br[=o] k n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.] 1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster] 2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
reed — reedlike, adj. /reed/, n. 1. the straight stalk of any of various tall grasses, esp. of the genera Phragmites and Arundo, growing in marshy places. 2. any of the plants themselves. 3. such stalks or plants collectively. 4. anything made from such … Universalium
