play ducks and drakes with

To squander (something). "Ducks and drakes" is a game played by skipping a stone across the surface of water. Don't play ducks and drakes with this internship—it's a great opportunity, even if it doesn't pay!

play ducks and drakes with (one)

To treat one poorly, dishonestly, or with flippant disregard. They started playing ducks and drakes with their opponents toward the end of the game. I thought that there were the makings of a serious relationship, but lately it's felt like he's just playing ducks and drakes with me.

play ducks and drakes with

trifle with; treat frivolously.

This expression comes from the game of ducks and drakes , played by throwing a flat stone across the surface of water in such a way as to make it skim and skip before it finally sinks. The game was known by this name by the late 16th century, and it was already a metaphor for an idle or frivolous activity in the early 17th century.