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Like water off a duck's back Meaning in English

expression

LYKE WAW-ter OFF uh DUCKS BACK
LYKE WAW-tuh OFF uh DUCKS BACK

Definition

If something is like water off a duck's back, it does not bother or affect someone at all, especially criticism or insults.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly used for criticism, insults, or negative comments that are ignored. Often said about someone emotionally strong or indifferent. Informal, mostly spoken. Can describe people or situations.

Spanish: como si nada - como agua sobre el lomo de un patoPortuguese (BR): como água nas costas de patoPortuguese (PT): como água nas costas de um patoChinese (Simplified): 毫不在意 - 像鸭背上的水Chinese (Traditional): 毫不在意 - 像鴨背上的水Hindi: बिल्कुल असर नहीं - जैसे बतख़ की पीठ पर पानीArabic: كأن شيئًا لم يكن - كالماء على ظهر البطBengali: পাখির পিঠে জল - গায়ে মনেই নাRussian: как с гуся водаJapanese: 馬の耳に念仏 - 雨にぬれても平気Vietnamese: nước đổ đầu vịtKorean: 마치 오리 등에 물 같은 일 - 아무런 영향이 없는Turkish: bir kulağından girip öbüründen çıkmak - hiç etki etmeyenUrdu: بطخ کی پیٹھ پر پانیIndonesian: seperti air di atas daun talas - tidak mempan

Example Sentences

No matter what they say, it is like water off a duck's back to him.

basic

Her teacher’s criticism was like water off a duck's back.

basic

For some people, insults are just like water off a duck's back.

basic

All those negative comments were like water off a duck's back to her—she just kept smiling.

natural

He gets teased a lot at work, but it’s always like water off a duck's back.

natural

If you want to be in politics, criticism should be like water off a duck's back.

natural