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
任期切れ間近の大統領は死に体と見なされがちだ。
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.
資金が底をつき、プロジェクトは死に体だった。
With funds exhausted, the project was in a hopeless situation.
With his approval ratings plummeting, the prime minister became a total lame duck.
You can't expect major policy from a lame-duck administration.
The company fell into a hopeless state due to conflict among the executives.
He tried to hold on while already in a losing posture, but ended up falling.