dead duck
No hope left
A dead duck is someone or something doomed to failure or destruction—beyond saving.
The image is of a duck that's been shot and is falling from the sky: the outcome is already determined.
If the funding doesn't come through, this project is a dead duck.
Once the scandal broke, his career was a dead duck.
Endeavor certain to fail
hopeless case · written off · no chance · fated · sealed fate · terminal · past saving · unsalvageable
Complete commercial failure
- bustFailure or sculpture
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
non-starter · dud · lemon · turkey · bomb · loser · write-off · misfire
Vulnerable person or thing
- easy preyVulnerable, readily caught
- exposedOut in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
marked man · at risk · in the crosshairs · lamb to slaughter · open season · easy pickings · soft target
Removed from position
- voted outRejected at the polls
- unelectableCannot win votes
- scandal-riddenBeset by damaging controversies
- disgracedBrought into shame
recalled · impeached · pariah · untouchable · liability
lost cause
Endeavor certain to fail
done for · hopeless case · written off · no chance · fated · sealed fate · terminal · past saving · unsalvageable · condemned
flop
Complete commercial failure
debacle · non-starter · dud · lemon · turkey · bomb · loser · write-off · misfire · strikeout
easy target
Vulnerable person or thing
- easy preyVulnerable, readily caught
- exposedOut in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
marked man · endangered · at risk · in the crosshairs · lamb to slaughter · open season · easy pickings · soft target
ousted
Removed from position
- voted outRejected at the polls
- unelectableCannot win votes
- scandal-riddenBeset by damaging controversies
disgraced · recalled · impeached · pariah · untouchable · liability
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, dark horse
- bird expressionsearly bird, birdbrain, bird brain, lovebirds, jailbird
- failingfail, fails, collapse, flop, bomb
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- death idiomskick the bucket, six feet under, kiss of death, death wish, death trap
- bird wordsrobin, eagle, swan, sparrow, crow
dead ducklive wire
Electrified conductor or dynamo
going concern · hot ticket · phoenix · survivor · contender
dead duckfighting chance
Small but real possibility
ray of hope · outside chance · glimmer of hope · lifeline · long shot
duck, ducks, deaden, ducking, ducked, ducky, deadened, dead, deadening