# sitting duck

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sitting-duck
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An obvious, vulnerable target.

## Examples

- Without a shield, the soldier is a sitting duck.
- The old computer has no security software, making it a sitting duck for hackers.
- By leaving his flank exposed on the open battlefield, the commander inadvertently rendered his entire infantry unit a sitting duck for the enemy artillery.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.