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1 a lame duck
разг.1) разорившийся биржевой маклер; банкротFrauds of which a lame duck on the Stock exchange would be ashamed. (Th. Macaulay, ‘Miscellaneous Essays’, ‘Mirabeau’) — Это жульнические проделки, которых устыдился бы даже прогоревший маклер.
The Economist calls lame ducks those industries whose survival is claimed to depend on government subsidy. — "Экономист" называет обанкротившимися те отрасли промышленности, жизнеспособность которых зависит от государственных субсидий.
2) неудачник, "несчастненький"; бездарность (тж. о политическом деятеле)...this additional proof that her life was to be passed amongst "lame ducks" worried him. Would she never make a friendship or take an interest in something that would be of real benefit to her? (J. Galsworthy, ‘The Man of Property’, part III, ch. III) —...это новое доказательство, что Джун суждено провести жизнь среди "несчастненьких", беспокоило его. Неужели у нее никогда не будет таких друзей и таких интересов, которые окажутся ей действительно полезными?
The habit of using the foreign service as a roost for lame ducks is unfortunately bipartisan... (‘The New Republic’) — К сожалению, для наших обеих партий стало традицией использовать дипломатическую службу как прибежище для бездарностей...
The time has come, declared Senator Norris, for Congress to take cognizance of the Presidential practice of caring for "lame ducks". (APT) — Сенатор Норрис заявил, что конгрессу пора обратить внимание на то, что президент любит опекать "несчастненьких" в политике.
3) амер. не избранный вновь, но временно ещё выполняющий прежние обязанности политический деятель; см. тж. a lame-duck CongressSince Presidents pick their chief body guards, and since Kellerman was a stranger to Lyndon Johnson, Kellerman was already a lame duck. (W. Manchester, ‘The Death of a President’, ch. 2) — Президенты сами назначают начальников своей личной охраны. Поскольку Келлерман не был близким человеком Линдона Джонсона, его шансы сохранить должность равнялись нулю.
4) мор.; жарг. "хромая утка", повреждённый корабльA lame duck on the sea means a ship which has been more or less damaged while crossing the perilous ocean. (Suppl) — "Хромой уткой" моряки называют корабль, получивший повреждения во время сильного шторма.
См. также в других словарях:
be apt to do something — phrase to have a tendency to do something They are apt to become a little careless if you don’t watch them carefully. The cars were old and apt to break down. Thesaurus: habits and habitual behavioursynonym Main entry: apt … Useful english dictionary
apt to do something — having a tendency to do something. → apt … English new terms dictionary
be apt to do something — to have a tendency to do something They are apt to become a little careless if you don t watch them carefully. The cars were old and apt to break down … English dictionary
apt — [ æpt ] adjective * 1. ) something that is apt, especially a name, description, or comment, is very appropriate: an apt comparison It seemed apt that the winning goal was scored by the captain. 2. ) good at learning: an apt pupil be apt to do… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
apt */ — UK [æpt] / US adjective 1) something that is apt, especially a name, description, or comment, is very suitable an apt comparison It seemed apt that the winning goal was scored by the captain. 2) good at learning an apt pupil • be apt to do… … English dictionary
apt — adjective 1 apt to do something having a natural tendency to do something: Some of the staff are apt to arrive late on Mondays. 2 exactly right for a particular situation or purpose: an apt and telling remark 3 formal quick to learn and… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
apt — [[t]æ̱pt[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED An apt remark, description, or choice is especially suitable. The words of this report are as apt today as in 1929. ...an apt description of the situation. Syn: apposite Derived words: aptly ADV GRADED ...the beach in… … English dictionary
apt — adjective 1》 appropriate; suitable. 2》 (apt to do something) having a tendency to do something. 3》 quick to learn. Derivatives aptly adverb aptness noun Origin ME: from L. aptus fitted , from apere fasten … English new terms dictionary
Apt — ([a^]pt), a. [F. apte, L. aptus, fr. obsolete apere to fasten, to join, to fit, akin to apisci to reach, attain: cf. Gr. ? to fasten, Skr. [=a]pta fit, fr. [=a]p to reach attain.] 1. Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
apt — [æpt] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of apere to fasten ] 1.) be apt to do sth to have a natural tendency to do something ▪ Some of the staff are apt to arrive late on Mondays. 2.) exactly right for a particular… … Dictionary of contemporary English
apt — aptly, adv. aptness, n. /apt/, adj. 1. inclined; disposed; given; prone: too apt to slander others. 2. likely: Am I apt to find him at home? 3. unusually intelligent; able to learn quickly and easily: an apt pupil. 4. suited to the purpose or… … Universalium
