dead duck - Definition & Meaning

someone or something that has never succeeded or is very unlikely to succeed in the futuresomeone or something that has never succeeded or is very unlikely to succeed in the future

The idiom "dead duck" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, and was likely inspired by the image of a duck that has been shot and killed, and is therefore no longer of any use. This phrase is often used to describe someone or something that is doomed to fail or no longer has a chance of success.The idiom "dead duck" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, and was likely inspired by the image of a duck that has been shot and killed, and is therefore no longer of any use. This phrase is often used to describe someone or something that is doomed to fail or no longer has a chance of success.

例句

The actor's last few movies have bombed at the box office, and now he's a dead duck in Hollywood.
这位演员最近的几部电影票房惨败，现在他在好莱坞是死鸭子了。
The company's outdated technology has made it a dead duck in the market.
公司的过时技术使其在市场上成为死鸭子。
The project is behind schedule and over budget, and it's becoming a dead duck.
项目落后于进度且超出预算，正在变成一只死鸭子。