goner

adjective. hopeless

Word Origin & History

"something dead or about to die," 1850, from gone + -er (1). From earlier expressions such as gone goose (1830), gone coon, etc.

Poor devil; he was a goner before he started this crazy break of his.

I thought he was a "goner" that time for sure, but he soon straightened up.

Reckon she's a goner, Cunnel; the d—— Yankee orter swing fur it.

Brick and I thought you were a goner for sure when that tree fell.

This time I thought I was a goner for life until you pried me loose.

“Thought I was a goner sure when they plugged my bronc,” said Reeves.

I'd be a goner anyway when the sun set, but I couldn't explain that to him.

“I thought he was a goner, my sons,” whispered the big fellow.

It seemed to me I was a goner, and it was some seconds before I realized I was alive and unhurt.

I thought he was a goner there, yesterday, when I saw the Seagull go kerflop.