lame-duck

Noun

lame duck (plural lame ducks)

1. (colloquial) A person or thing that is helpless, inefficient, or disabled.
   • Thus is happens, that, when a considerable loss arises from such contract, the principal on whole behalf it was made, refuses to fulfil it; in this case, the loss falls upon the broker, without remedy; and if he does not fulfil the contract in default of his prinicipal, he foreits his credit and...1763 January, anonymous author, The Gentleman's and London Magazine, page 288
2. (US) An elected official who has lost the recent election or is not eligible for reelection and is marking time until leaving office.
   • Congressman Jones was a lame duck and did not vote on many issues that were important to his constituents.
3. (dated, slang) A person who cannot fulfill their contracts.

   Synonyms:

   duck

4. A server that continues to serve ongoing requests while refusing new ones, allowing for graceful shutdown.

See all 5 meanings of lame duck