1. something or someone that is not successful or useful.

The project was a dead duck from the start due to a lack of funding.

My first agent turned out to be a bit of a dead duck and he failed to find me any work.

2. someone who is going to be punished severely for something they have done.

If Dad finds out you used the car, you'll be a dead duck.

• put someone through
• put someone through hell
• put someone through hoops
• put someone through paces
• put someone through something
• put someone through their paces
• put someone through the mill
• put someone through the wringer
• put someone to death
• put someone to shame
• put someone to sleep
• put someone to the test
• put something back on the rails
• put something back on track
• put something behind
• put something behind someone
• put something behind something
• put something behind you
• put something down to experience
• put something in a hole
• put something in motion
• put something in the shade
• put something into service
• put something on a pedestal
• put something on hold