Like water off a duck's back meaning

The phrase "like water off a duck's back" means that criticism or negative remarks roll off someone's shoulders without affecting them.


Like water off a duck's back definitions

Word backwards ekil retaw ffo a s'kcud kcab
Part of speech In this phrase, "like water off a duck's back", the word "like" is a preposition.
Syllabic division like wa-ter off a duck's back
Plural The plural form of "like water off a duck's back" would be "like water off ducks' backs."
Total letters 22
Vogais (5) i,e,a,o,u
Consonants (10) l,k,w,t,r,f,d,c,s,b

Have you ever heard the phrase "like water off a duck's back"? This common expression refers to the idea of letting criticism or negative comments slide off you without affecting you.

The Origin of the Phrase

The phrase "like water off a duck's back" likely originated from the fact that water beads up and rolls off a duck's feathers due to the oils they produce. This natural ability to shed water and stay dry serves as a metaphor for being able to let criticisms or negative remarks roll off without impacting one's emotional state.

Understanding the Metaphor

When someone says that criticism rolls off them like water off a duck's back, they are indicating that they are resilient to negative feedback. Just as a duck remains unaffected by water rolling off its feathers, this person remains unaffected by criticism or insults.

Developing Resilience

Developing the ability to let things roll off you like water off a duck's back is a valuable skill. It can help you maintain your self-confidence and emotional well-being in the face of criticism or negativity. By not allowing harmful words to affect you, you can stay focused on your goals and aspirations.

Practicing Emotional Detachment

Practicing emotional detachment doesn't mean ignoring constructive feedback. It means not allowing hurtful or baseless criticisms to impact your self-worth. By adopting a mindset of resilience, you can maintain your emotional balance and inner peace.

Next time you face criticism or negativity, remember the phrase "like water off a duck's back." By embodying this metaphorical resilience, you can navigate challenges with grace and confidence.


Like water off a duck's back Examples

  1. When faced with criticism, she let it roll off her like water off a duck's back.
  2. Despite the stressful situation, he remained calm and composed, letting the pressure slide off him like water off a duck's back.
  3. The negative comments didn't affect her at all; she just shrugged them off like water off a duck's back.
  4. Even though he was surrounded by chaos, he maintained his focus and let distractions bounce off him like water off a duck's back.
  5. No matter how tough the circumstances, she was able to stay resilient and let the hardships flow off her like water off a duck's back.
  6. The setbacks he encountered were quickly forgotten, as he brushed them off like water off a duck's back.
  7. She was able to handle rejection with grace, allowing the disappointment to roll off her like water off a duck's back.
  8. In the face of failure, he chose to let it go and move on, just like water off a duck's back.
  9. Despite the gossip spreading around her, she remained unfazed, letting the rumors slide off her like water off a duck's back.
  10. Even when facing criticism, she stayed strong and let the negativity flow off her like water off a duck's back.


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  • Updated 24/04/2024 - 16:40:52