Dead duck Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɛd/ /ˈdək
DED-DUHK
dˈɛd/ /dˈʌk
DED-DUK
Definition
Used to describe someone or something that is certain to fail, is already ruined, or has no chance of success.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, somewhat humorous or dismissive. Commonly used for people, projects, or ideas with no chance of recovery or success. Not typically used for inanimate objects literally. Similar to 'lost cause' or 'no hope.'
Spanish: caso perdido - causa perdidaPortuguese (BR): caso perdido - causa perdidaPortuguese (PT): caso perdido - causa perdidaChinese (Simplified): 没有希望的人（计划）- 没戏了Chinese (Traditional): 沒希望的人（計畫）- 沒戲了Hindi: नाकाम योजना - असफल व्यक्तिArabic: قضية خاسرة - شخص فاشلBengali: শেষ (শেষ হওয়া ব্যক্তি বা জিনিস) - অসফল ব্যক্তি বা জিনিস - নিঃশেষ ব্যক্তিRussian: потерянное дело - безнадёжное дело - обречённыйJapanese: 完全に終わったもの - 望みがないものVietnamese: vô vọng - không còn hy vọng - thất bại hoàn toànKorean: 끝난 일 - 가망 없는 존재 - 희망이 없는 것Turkish: kurtarılmaz vaka - umutsuz vaka - bitmiş işUrdu: نادانستہ ناکام - ناممکن کامیابی - ختم شدہ معاملہIndonesian: gagal total - tanpa harapan - sudah pasti gagal
Example Sentences
After the company lost all its money, it was a dead duck.
basic
That project is a dead duck now; no one wants to continue it.
basic
If she doesn't study, her grade is a dead duck.
basic
The team’s new app turned out to be a dead duck—nobody used it.
natural
You’re a dead duck if the boss finds out you lied.
natural
Their chances were a dead duck after the mistake in the final minutes.
natural