死に体
Meanings
losing posture; irrecoverable falling position
Sumo term for a posture from which a wrestler cannot recover and will inevitably lose. Also used figuratively for a hopeless situation.
He fell into an irrecoverable posture at the edge of the ring and was pushed out.
lame duck
Figurative use for a person or organization that has lost power or effectiveness, especially a leader nearing the end of their term. Cross-referenced with レームダック.
See also: レームダック
A president nearing the end of their term tends to be seen as a lame duck.
hopeless situation
General figurative extension: a situation with no chance of recovery or success.
With funds exhausted, the project was in a hopeless situation.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が死に体になるfor someone (a leader) to become a lame duck
With his approval ratings plummeting, the prime minister became a total lame duck.
- 死に体の〈人〉a lame-duck (leader/administration)
You can't expect major policy from a lame-duck administration.
- 死に体に陥るto fall into a hopeless, unrecoverable state
The company fell into a hopeless state due to conflict among the executives.
- 死に体で〈動詞〉to do something while already in a losing position (used in sumo)
He tried to hold on while already in a losing posture, but ended up falling.