dead duck
Americannoun
noun
-
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]
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of dead duck
An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; originally, in political slang, a person who has lost influence or power and is therefore useless; perhaps from the proverb “never waste powder on a dead duck”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before it all started to get trippy, Scotland were losing 3-0 and Denmark were winning 1-0, a series of results that made Scottish hopes of automatic qualification a dead duck.
From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025
Buffett is correct in acknowledging that the traditional newspaper business model is a dead duck in the long run, as readers transition to digital news websites.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2019
A middle-aged musician nursing a hangover in his mate’s dressing room is a dead duck.
From The Guardian • Jun. 9, 2018
Well, Kennedy took a called third strike and Carp was a dead duck.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2011
I noticed a long time ago when it comes to disappointment, once a growned person feels it for you, you ain’t nothing but a dead duck, ’cause caint nothing be done to change their mind.
From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
