a person or an organization that is not very successful and that needs help 不太成功而需要帮助的人（或机构）；“跛脚鸭” The government should not spend money on helping lame ducks. 政府不应该花钱帮助跛脚鸭。
- (US English, informal)
a politician or government whose period of office will soon end and who will not be elected again （不能继续连任的）即将届满卸任的从政者（或政府）；“跛脚鸭” a lame-duck president/administration 跛脚鸭总统／政府