lame duck

柯林斯词典

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. (由于任期将满等原因而)无实权的官员或政府[usu N n]
...a lame duck government. ...一个即将届满卸任的无实权政府。
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; 废物[oft N n] [表不满]
...lame-duck industries. ...前景黯淡的行业。