sitting target
Defenseless, stationary prey
A sitting target is someone or something highly vulnerable to attack or criticism—exposed, stationary, and easy to hit.
The phrase comes from hunting, where prey that isn't moving presents no challenge.
Without security updates, the old server was a sitting target for hackers.
Also called a sitting duck.
- immobileUnable to shift
- victimOne harmed by another
- lamb to slaughterOne unknowingly facing destruction
- dead meatSlang for doomed person
- fair gameLegitimate object of pursuit
easy mark · low hanging fruit · exposed · out in the open · stationary · prey · unprotected · easy prey · visible · passive · scapegoat · defenseless · trapped · fall guy · susceptible · bullseye · endangered · inert
sitting targetfortified position
Defended military location
safe haven · stronghold · bunker · sanctuary · safe house
sitting targetmoving target
Object in motion pursued
fast mover · will-o'-the-wisp · quick on one's feet · unpredictable · nimble
sitting, target, sitter, sitters, targets, targeted, targeting