IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishlike water off a duck's back
Meaning: Having no effect on someone.
Example: “Insults from the crowd are like water off a duck's back to the veteran referee.”
Equivalents in other languages
Swedish: som vatten på en gås Literally: Like water on a goose
Origin: A duck's feathers are coated with oil from a gland near its tail, so water runs straight off without soaking in. The comparison for criticism that has no effect is found from the 19th century.
More English idioms
- need something like one needs a hole in the head To have absolutely no need for something.
- the nitty-gritty The heart of the issue; the most important part of the discussion; the essential points.
- not have a leg to stand on To be in an indefensible situation or to have no support for an argument or case.
- off the top of one's head To say something without much advance preparation.
- put something on the back burner To decrease the amount of energy spent on some activity; to delay or postpone action on s…
- on the nose Exactly.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
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- Eres todo un personaje Said with deep affection: you're unforgettable, one of a kind, impossible to replace.
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