dead duck
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms:
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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.
Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang:
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dead duck
noun
noun, orig US
An unsuccessful or useless person or thing. (1844 —) .
A. Gilbert Once a chap's proved innocent...he's a dead duck to the Press (1958).
noun, orig US
An unsuccessful or useless person or thing. (1844 —) .
A. Gilbert Once a chap's proved innocent...he's a dead duck to the Press (1958).
| dead, de-pants, daylights | |
| dead president, dead soldier, dead-head |
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categories related to 'dead duck'
- Language of Death - dead duck: person or thing about to fail or die
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Copyrights:
American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang
Oxford University Press. © 1997, 2008, 2010
All rights reserved.
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