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Sitting Duck

What Does "Sitting Duck" Mean?

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"Sitting duck" is an English idiom describing a vulnerable or defenseless person or thing that is an easy target for attack or criticism.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "sitting duck" used in a sentence:
  • Without any protection, the exposed soldiers became sitting ducks for the enemy's snipers.
  • The lack of cybersecurity made the company's sensitive data a sitting duck for hackers.
  • Public figures often feel like sitting ducks for negative media coverage.
meaning for sitting duck

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Sitting Duck" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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