like water off a duck's back

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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"It's like water off a duck's back really, the way he just sort of takes it all in his stride," sports psychologist and former women's world number one darts player Dr Linda Duffy told BBC Sport.

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My club lose so often now though that a defeat is like water off a duck's back whatever the time and/or day.

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The Kordas realise the interest in their family but you sense it's like water off a duck's back.

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Merkel, however, took Trump's bloviations in stride — "like water off a duck's back" — pushing back with calm observations of fact.