be a dead duck

be a dead duck

1. To be useless or hopeless. That new budget bill was a dead duck before it hit the Senate. That mechanic turned out to be a dead duck. He didn't even know how to change my oil.
2. To be in a great deal of trouble (for something one has done). When Mom finds out you snuck out of the house to meet your boyfriend, you're going to be a dead duck!
See also: dead, duck
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a dead duck
  • dead duck
  • dead duck, a
  • quick and the dead
  • quick and the dead, the
  • the quick and the dead
  • play possum
  • play possum, to
  • possum
  • dead men tell no tales