dead as a doorknob

Etymology
Possibly from a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the expression dead as a doornail. See usage notes below.

Adjective

 * 1)  Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.
 * I tried the flashlight, but the battery was as dead as a doorknob.
 * I found the mouse who lived in our wall, lying on his back with his feet in the air—as dead as a doorknob.

Usage notes
Many other nouns can be substituted for doorknob, perhaps the oldest and original being used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2, act 4, scene 10; and also by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol. Others include, , , , , , and.

Translations

 * Danish: død som en sild
 * Finnish: kuollut kuin kivi
 * Norwegian:
 * Bokmål: