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dead duck

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dead duck

1. A person or thing that is useless or hopeless. That new budget bill was a dead duck before it hit the Senate. That mechanic turned out to be a dead duck. He didn't even know how to change my oil.

2. Someone who is about to be in a great deal of trouble for something he or she has done. When Mom finds out you snuck out of the house to meet your boyfriend, you're going to be a dead duck!

See also: dead, duck

dead duck

Fig. someone or something that is certain to die or fail. If I fail that test, I'm a dead duck. When the outlaw drew his pistol, the sheriff knew he was a dead duck.

See also: dead, duck

dead duck

1. A person doomed to failure or death; a hopeless case. For example, If they can't find a heart to transplant soon, he's a dead duck. [1940s]

2. A useless, worthless, or outmoded person or thing. For example, They didn't interview the outgoing senator; to the press he's a dead duck. Some speculate that this slangy term comes from an old saying, "Never waste powder on a dead duck," first recorded in 1829.

See also: dead, duck

dead duck

n. a person or thing doomed to failure or disaster. This whole plan was a dead duck from the beginning.

See also: dead, duck