lame duck
noun
1
: one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement
especially, chiefly British : an ailing company
2
: an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor
3
: one whose position or term of office will soon end
lame-duck
ˈlām-ˈdək 
adjective 
Example Sentences
The President was a lame duck during the end of his second term.
Recent Examples on the Web The show had an abysmal 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, and seemed to just generally be a lame duck that never really had much of a chance to go anywhere. 
Evan Romano, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2022 Three days later, the coup had been routed, but Gorbachev returned to Moscow a lame duck: he had been supplanted by Boris Yeltsin, the leader of an independent Russia. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2022 In Philly: Like the Wings with Bowman, the Flyers were led by a lame duck whose coaching contract expired after the playoffs. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 Furthermore, is Lovie Smith their long-term answer at head coach or another lame duck? Stephanie Stradley, Chron, 22 Apr. 2022 Roth oversaw efforts to restrict Evers’ powers during the lame duck session between the election of Evers and his inauguration. Ben Baker, Journal Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 But the lack of action to this point means his only remaining hope might be in a lame duck session. Mike Memoli, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2022 The lame duck legislative session continues Wednesday and is expect to last through either Dec. 13 or Dec. 20. Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2021 How is the coronavirus turning the lame duck legislative session into complete disarray, and what does that mean for all the things lawmakers wanted to do? Laura Johnston, cleveland, 11 Dec. 2020 See More
Evan Romano, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2022 Three days later, the coup had been routed, but Gorbachev returned to Moscow a lame duck: he had been supplanted by Boris Yeltsin, the leader of an independent Russia. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2022 In Philly: Like the Wings with Bowman, the Flyers were led by a lame duck whose coaching contract expired after the playoffs. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 Furthermore, is Lovie Smith their long-term answer at head coach or another lame duck? Stephanie Stradley, Chron, 22 Apr. 2022 Roth oversaw efforts to restrict Evers’ powers during the lame duck session between the election of Evers and his inauguration. Ben Baker, Journal Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 But the lack of action to this point means his only remaining hope might be in a lame duck session. Mike Memoli, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2022 The lame duck legislative session continues Wednesday and is expect to last through either Dec. 13 or Dec. 20. Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2021 How is the coronavirus turning the lame duck legislative session into complete disarray, and what does that mean for all the things lawmakers wanted to do? Laura Johnston, cleveland, 11 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1