a person or thing that is beyond help, redemption, or hope:
One more missed opportunity and this whole enterprise is a dead duck.
Origin
1820-30, Americanism; orig., in political slang, a person who has lost influence or power and is therefore useless; perhaps from the proverb “never waste powder on a dead duck”
Examples from the web for dead duck
It is easy to catch a dead duck or goose, and the eagles make quick work of them.
British Dictionary definitions for dead duck
dead duck
noun
1.
(slang) a person or thing doomed to death, failure, etc, esp because of a mistake or misjudgment
Slang definitions & phrases for dead duck
dead duck
noun phrase
A person or thing that is ruined; a GONER, gone goose: Just one more little push and she was a dead duck/ Unless somebody would start this mob to the sugar bowl, I was a dead pigeon(1844+)
Idioms and Phrases with dead duck
dead duck
.
A person doomed to failure or death; a hopeless case. For example, If they can't find a heart to transplant soon, he's a dead duck. [ 1940s ]
.
A useless, worthless, or outmoded person or thing. For example, They didn't interview the outgoing senator; to the press he's a dead duck. Some speculate that this slangy term comes from an old saying, “Never waste powder on a dead duck,” first recorded in 1829.