If I fail that test, I'm a dead duck.
•When the outlaw drew his pistol, the sheriff knew he was a dead duck.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
dead duck — n a dead duck informal a plan, idea etc that is not worth considering because it is very likely to fail ▪ He admitted that the whole project was a dead duck … Dictionary of contemporary English
dead duck — dead ducks N COUNT (emphasis) If you describe someone or something as a dead duck, you are emphasizing that you think they have absolutely no chance of succeeding. [INFORMAL] The government is a dead duck. Syn: no hoper … English dictionary
dead duck — noun count INFORMAL 1. ) HUMOROUS someone who will be punished severely: If she ever finds out about this, I m a dead duck! 2. ) something that will certainly fail … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
dead duck — Someone or something is bound to fail or die is a dead duck … The small dictionary of idiomes
dead duck — ► NOUN informal ▪ an unsuccessful or useless person or thing. ORIGIN from the old saying ‘never waste powder on a dead duck’ … English terms dictionary
dead duck — ☆ dead duck or dead pigeon n. Slang a person or thing that is ruined or certain to suffer ruin, failure, or death; goner … English World dictionary
dead duck — dead′ duck′ n. cvb a person or thing that is doomed • Etymology: 1820–30, amer … From formal English to slang
dead duck — noun something doomed to failure he finally admitted that the legislation was a dead duck the idea of another TV channel is now a dead duck as theories go, that s a dead duck • Hypernyms: ↑failure * * * noun 1. : a person or thing that has so… … Useful english dictionary
dead duck — {n.}, {slang} A person or thing in a hopeless situation or condition; one to whom something bad is sure to happen. * /When the pianist broke her arm, she was a dead duck./ … Dictionary of American idioms
dead duck — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms dead duck : singular dead duck plural dead ducks informal something that will certainly fail … English dictionary
