Meaning: This idiom refers to people or things that are vulnerable, unprotected, or easy targets.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “Without any cover, the soldiers were sitting ducks for the enemy.”
- “With no security measures in place, the company’s data was sitting ducks for hackers.”
- “Walking through that dangerous area at night makes you a sitting duck for trouble.”
Origin: The phrase “sitting ducks” comes from hunting, where a duck sitting on water is an easy target because it can’t escape quickly. It became a popular way to describe situations or people who are defenseless or exposed to danger, especially from the 20th century onward.
