"Life is never easy for those who dream." ~ Robert James Waller

impasse
Pronunciation: 'im-"pas, im-'
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from in- + passer to pass
1 a : a predicament affording no obvious escape
b : DEADLOCK
2 : an impassable road or way : CUL-DE-SAC

cul-de-sac
Pronunciation: 'k&l-di-"sak, 'kul-; "k&l-di-', "kul-
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, bottom of the bag
1 : a blind diverticulum or pouch
2 : a street or passage closed at one end
3 : BLIND ALLEY