ducks and drakes

American  

[duhks uhn dreyks] / ˈdʌks ən ˈdreɪks /

noun

1. Also a pastime in which flat stones or shells are thrown across water so as to skip over the surface several times before sinking.

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idioms

1. play ducks and drakes with, to handle recklessly; squander: Also make ducks and drakes of.

   He played ducks and drakes with his fortune.

ducks and drakes British  

noun

1. a game in which a flat stone is bounced across the surface of water

2. to use recklessly; squander or waste

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Etymology

Origin of ducks and drakes

First recorded in 1575–85; from a fancied likeness to a waterfowl's movements

Example Sentences

We threw more stones, went to the water’s edge, flung ducks and drakes, and fished for driftwood.

From Literature

—When a man squanders his fortune, he is said in vulgar parlance to "make ducks and drakes of his money."

From Project Gutenberg

"You are turning against the money he left, which is the same thing, wanting to make ducks and drakes of it."

From Project Gutenberg

My trustee has made ducks and drakes of my property, or rather bulls and bears.

From Project Gutenberg

Meredith laughed and said it was all "grand times;" and then he got up and strolled along by the water, picking up flat stones and making ducks and drakes on the smooth, river surface.

From Project Gutenberg