Idiom

Lame duck

What does "Lame duck" mean?

A person or thing that is no longer properly able to function. Also, more specifically, a person in authority, for example a president or prime minister, in their final period of office after a successor has already been elected.

Lame duck

Britain - 18th century.

A person or thing that is no longer properly able to function. Also, more specifically, a person in authority, for example a president or prime minister, in their final period of office after a successor has already been elected.

Worldwide.

  • The boss is pretty much a lame duck now that he's announced his retirement and we know he won't be here next month.