The phrase “good as gone” is an idiomatic expression that means someone or something is effectively no longer present, available, or in a state of existence, even if they have not physically left or disappeared yet. It often implies a sense of inevitability regarding the departure or loss of something or someone.
For example, if a company is struggling financially and laying off employees, one might say, “With these budget cuts, many jobs are good as gone,” indicating that the jobs are essentially lost even if the formal layoffs haven’t taken place yet.
The expression can also apply to situations where a relationship is ending or a person is emotionally detached, suggesting that the connection has already diminished even if the formal separation hasn’t occurred. Overall, it conveys a feeling of finality or resignation about the situation.