English

Adjective

like water off a duck's back

1. (simile, colloquial) Without immediate or lasting effects.
   • 2009, Jan Espeut, "The honeymoon is over," Jamaica Gleaner, 2 Jan. (retrieved 20 Jan. 2009):

     Scandal after scandal would break, but it would be like water off a duck's back; no heads rolled, and no one seemed particularly perturbed.

Usage notes

• Used especially in relation to unheeded criticism.

Adverb

like water off a duck's back

1. (simile, colloquial) In a manner which has no effect; immediately and without causing any difference.
   • 1919, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Rainbow Valley, ch. 18:

     "She combs me down with her tongue sometimes though, but that just slips off me like water off a duck's back."

Usage notes

• Used especially in relation to unheeded criticism.

Translations