broken reed

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a broken reed

An unreliable or unsupportive person. I thought I could count on my best friend for support during this difficult time, but she proved to be a broken reed and never returned my calls.

broken reed

an unreliable or undependable person. (On the image of a useless, broken reed in a reed instrument.) 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.

broken reed

A weak or unreliable support, as in I'd counted on her to help, but she turned out to be a broken reed. The idea behind this idiom, first recorded about 1593, was already present in a mid-15th-century translation of a Latin tract, "Trust not nor lean not upon a windy reed."

See also: broken, reed

References in periodicals archive ?

If Westminster's powers cannot extend to putting that little matter right, then it's a broken reed.

I told you so - and now let's take time to read the very small print

Broken Reed has been a little disappointing over fences, but showed a lot more at Huntingdon last time, and if he can progress again he will take all the beating in a poor contest.

Horse Racing: Penalty burden makes Lennon one to oppose; TRADING POST

A broken reed in the political backwaters, CCFC MP meets a bewildering array of characters promising instant political success: Swedish insurance salesmen; Birmingham seat sellers; sweary scousers and even Young Asian Businessmen of the Year.

Sky Blue Saturday; GAME ON:DAVID WARDALE'S TONGUE-IN-CHEEK LOOK AT COVENTRY CITY; What do Peter Mandelson and Coventry City have in common? Read on ..

BETTING: 5-1 Bubble Boy, 6-1 College Ace, 7-1 Red Echo, Waynesworld, 8-1 Broken Reed, 10-1 On The Outside, Liverpool Echo, Lord Anner, 12-1 others.

Rugby Union:

Broken Reed was a useful point-to-pointer in Ireland, and has won both his novice hurdles since joining Tom George.

Horse Racing: Clouding Over bids to improve Reveley record; 3.00 PETERBOROUGH CHASE

Trainer Tom George enhanced his fine record on the course by landing a double with Broken Reed, who took the extended three-mile intermediate hurdle in the hands of Jason Maguire, and Burwood Breeze, who scored easily under Paddy Brennan in the three-mile handicap chase.

Horse Racing: Easy pickings for deadly duo with The Royal Dub; PERTH

With the University of Wales - truly, a broken reed in this field - heading for break-up, this looks truly like a topic for Assembly action.