The Definition of Ready is not being used well when:
The Product Owner is expected to come up independently with Definition of Ready stories.
The Team is required to accept Stories for work that do not meet Definition of Ready.
Too much time is spent on each Story to get it Ready.
The process becomes a “stage gate” whereby it literally gets in the way of the smooth flow value, or Teams use it as an excuse not to work on things. Remember, this is all about the smooth flow of value and collaboration!