like water off a duck's back

Idioms  

1. Readily and without apparent effect. For example, The scathing reviews rolled off him like water off a duck's back. This expression alludes to the fact that duck feathers shed water. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Now in its 19th series, criticism of The Apprentice falls "like water off a duck's back" these days, he said.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2025

Grammer: If we were 20, we’d be thinking about what we’re trying to do to make the characters believable. but at this point, it’s sort of like water off a duck’s back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2018

Bad reviews, the few there are, glide off Buscemi like water off a duck’s back.

From The Guardian • Sep. 17, 2017

I think that’s like water off a duck’s back.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2011

The common saying, "Cares roll off her like water off a duck's back," means the same thing.

From Power Through Repose by Call, Annie Payson