The Collaborative International Dictionary
dead beat \dead` beat"\ (d[e^]d`b[=e]t"), deadbeat \dead"beat`\(d[e^]d"b[=e]t`). a loafer, sponger, or swindler; especially, one who does not pay his debts. Same as Beat, n., 7. [Low, U.S.]
Wiktionary
n. (alternative spelling of deadbeat English)
Wikipedia
Dead Beat is the 7th book in The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher's continuing series about wizard detective Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. It is available in print and e-book.
Usage examples of "dead beat".
Dammit every night we stagger home, dead beat, and you fall into bed.
I was dead beat and in no fit condition to make important decisions.
If Stratton's crew hadn't been dead beat you'd have had Eight-six-one-o here by now.
Hendrickson was a dead beat, sure, but practically all of our customers were.
He was dead beat with running, labouring like a cow in milk, and couldn't keep direction at all.
I know youse must be dead beat, an' I sure am, all right, all right.