a dead duck

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 they have 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

a dead duck

1. If someone or something is a dead duck, they are a failure. The government is a dead duck; and the Supreme National Council does not have the means to govern. The movie's probably a dead duck.
2. Someone who is a dead duck is going to be punished severely. Hit me on the head again, and you're a dead duck.
See also: dead, duck

a dead ˈduck

(informal) a plan, an idea, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and that is therefore not worth discussing: The new supermarket is going to be a dead duck; there’s no demand for one in this area.
See also: dead, duck

dead duck, a

A has-been or a loser. The term dates from the second half of the nineteenth century and may have been derived from lame duck. At first it denoted a person whose political influence had declined. Later it simply came to mean someone who has no hope of winning, or who has already lost.
See also: dead
References in periodicals archive ?
The RSPCA was first called on Sunday, July 24 by a member of the public who had reportedly seen a dead duck at the verge by the road.
RSPCA probes village's spate of duck deaths
But just when it looked like the event was a dead duck, Representative Andre Jacque (R) floated a bill to legalize non-profit duck races, potentially averting a quackdown.
4 duck bill
If you have access to a dead duck, replace the dummy with the real thing once you've reached this stage of training.
Duck drag lines: trailing drills will help your dog retrieve more cripples
This is a dead duck and it will never be anything else but a dead duck and no amount of ridiculous nonsense talking to bring this pool back to life will succeed.
Pool plans are a dead duck
This is what happened to your dog Had you called your dog in, tossed a dead duck and then let him search to find it once in a while, your dog would not have "extinguished" on the search.
Search behind the duck: enthusiasm is critical to keeping your dog motivated
When any new development comes along in New Brighton it's a dead duck.
I stand by 'dead duck' rap for New Brighton
I walked around a little further and saw lots of debris and noticed a dead duck.
City bird flu alert No.2 after mum's shock find
It would seem that the Americans and Australians are pushing a dead duck.
Climate change talks a 'dead duck'
BIRD flu experts refused to examine a dead duck found in Liverpool.
DEAD DUCK ANGER; Bird flu experts refused to examine Liverpool carcass
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