Pronunciation: /leɪm dʌk/

Definitions of lame duck

noun a person or thing that is ineffective or in a vulnerable position, especially one that is nearing the end of a term in office

Example Sentences

A1 A lame duck is a bird that cannot fly well.

A2 The term 'lame duck' is often used in politics to refer to a leader who is nearing the end of their term.

B1 After losing the election, the president became a lame duck until the new leader took office.

B2 The company's CEO was considered a lame duck as he announced his retirement six months before leaving the position.

C1 The lame duck president struggled to pass any significant legislation during his final months in office.

C2 As a lame duck senator, she focused on tying up loose ends and preparing for her successor to take over.

adjective referring to a person or thing that is ineffective or in a vulnerable position, especially one that is nearing the end of a term in office

Example Sentences

A1 The old laptop was a lame duck and couldn't keep up with the new software.

A2 The injured player was considered a lame duck and had to sit out of the game.

B1 The company's outdated technology made it a lame duck in the competitive market.

B2 The politician's scandalous past made him a lame duck in the upcoming election.

C1 The once powerful empire had become a lame duck on the world stage.

C2 The CEO's lack of vision turned the company into a lame duck in the industry.

Examples of lame duck in a Sentence

formal The term 'lame duck' is often used to refer to a politician who is nearing the end of their term and has limited power.

informal After losing the election, the president became a lame duck for the remainder of his time in office.

slang Once the CEO announced his resignation, he was seen as a lame duck by the rest of the company.

figurative The injured bird struggled to fly, resembling a lame duck trying to stay afloat in the water.

Grammatical Forms of lame duck

past tense

lamed

plural

lame ducks

comparative

lamer duck

superlative

lamest duck

present tense

lame duck

future tense

will be a lame duck

perfect tense

has been a lame duck

continuous tense

is being a lame duck

singular

lame duck

positive degree

lame duck

infinitive

to be a lame duck

gerund

being a lame duck

participle

laming duck

Origin and Evolution of lame duck

First Known Use: 1761 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'lame duck' originated from 18th century London stock exchange slang, where it was used to refer to a stockbroker who defaulted on his debts.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'lame duck' has evolved to refer to a person or entity that is ineffective or unable to fulfill their duties due to impending departure or loss of power.