lame duck
US /leɪm dʌk/
UK /leɪm dʌk/
1.
an elected official or group of officials, as a legislature, continuing in office during the period between an election defeat and the inauguration of a successor
:
•
The president became a lame duck after losing the election.
•
The lame duck Congress struggled to pass new legislation.
2.
a person or thing that is weak, ineffectual, or unsuccessful
:
•
The new product turned out to be a lame duck, failing to attract customers.
•
After several attempts, the business was still a lame duck.