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 gives too much support to lame ducks. 政府给无能之辈太多的支持。◆lame-duck industries 失败的行业
a politician, a government or an official whose period of office will soon end and who will not be elected again or kept in the same position 即将届满卸任的政治家（或政府、官员）◆Her replacement has already been named, making her a lame duck until she steps down. 已提名了她的继任者，她在下台之前已成为“跛脚鸭”。◆a lame-duck chairman 即将届满卸任的主席