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3. a lame duck

a lame duck

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a lame duck

 

1. a person or company that is in trouble and needs help In under two years, it was transformed from a state-owned lame duck into a successful company.

2. someone, especially an elected official, who cannot influence events any more, often because their job is going to end soon The Mayor intends to run for re-election to avoid being thought of as a lame duck. (mainly American)

See also: duck, lame