lame duck

lame duck Definition

lame duck

noun

a disabled, ineffectual, or helpless person or thing
☆ an elected official whose term extends beyond the time of the election at which he or she was not reelected

lame duck Synonyms

lame duck Law Definition

adj

Colloquial; often pejorative

An elected official whose successor has already been elected, and who is serving out the remainder of a term.

lame duck Usage Examples

Converse of object

become: The former would become a lame duck Prime Minister; the latter would inherit a party riven by civil war.

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