dead ducks
Those beyond saving
Dead ducks are people or things doomed to failure or certain to suffer misfortune.
The phrase treats inevitable ruin as already accomplished: If the boss finds out about this, we're dead ducks.
A single person or thing is a dead duck.
The related phrase *sitting duck* emphasizes vulnerability rather than inevitability.
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- lost causesEndeavors beyond saving
- casualtiesThose killed or wounded
- failuresUnsuccessful attempts or outcomes
- doomedDestined for destruction
obsolete · victims · losses · unviable · oblivion · hopeless · written off · deceased · futile · perished · bygone · defunct · washed up · toast · extinct · carcass · surrendered · ruins
dead duckssurvivors
Those still alive after
sure things · safe bets · shoo-ins · escapees · success stories
dead ducksrising stars
Emerging promising talents
sure things · front-runners · up-and-comers · live wires · golden boys
dead ducksrising stars
Emerging promising talents
golden boys · chosen ones · sacred cows · favorites · darlings
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