dead duck
Americannoun
noun
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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]
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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
Moore said he knew he was a dead duck when he looked up and saw Aybar running towards him pump-faking the throw.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2010
The dead duck on the mantelpiece let out a single protesting quack, but the portrait of Edward Ashton remained unchanged.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
