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Lame Duck

About to retire, in the last days of his or her job

Etymology:

  • It is an 18th century English expression. It referred to a person in London Stock exchange who got indebted after losing all money; people said he had to sway over the stock exchange much like a lame duck. In 19th century in America, person who waited in office for the balance of their terms was called lame duck. If you see a flock of ducks flying off their legs and there is one with injured leg remains behind is called a lame duck. So any lost candidate or official who just completes his term before retirement is called a lame duck.
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Nobody takes Mr. Johnson serious these days because he is a lame duck.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

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incapacitado

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    "Lame Duck." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/lame-duck_44816>.

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