Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dead-duck
noun
/ˈdɛd dʌk/
Definition
A term used to describe someone or something that is considered to be ineffective or hopeless, particularly in a situation where no recovery or improvement is expected.
Examples
- The project has been labeled a dead-duck after the team ran out of funding.
- He felt like a dead-duck in the competition after his main rival made a strong comeback.
Meaning
The phrase implies that the subject is beyond help or remedy, often used in a context where failure seems inevitable.
Synonyms
- hopeless case
- lost cause
- ineffectual
- failure
