lame duck

1. N-COUNT If you refer to a politician or a government as a lame duck, you mean that they have little real power, for example, because their period of office is coming to an end. (由於任期將滿等原因而)無實權(quán)的官員或政府[usu N n]

...a lame duck government. ...一個即將屆滿卸任的無實權(quán)政府。

2. N-COUNT If you describe someone or something as a lame duck, you are critical of them because they are not successful and need to be helped a lot. 不中用的人或物; 廢物[oft N n] [表不滿]

...lame-duck industries. ...前景黯淡的行業(yè)。