decoy-duck

A hunter places a wooden decoy-duck on the calm water of a marsh.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A duck used to lure other ducks: "decoy-duck" refers to a duck, either real or artificial, that is used by hunters to attract wild ducks into a shooting range or trap.
   • A person or thing used to entice others: In a figurative sense, "decoy-duck" can denote someone or something used to lure or mislead others, especially in a deceptive scheme.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hunter placed a decoy-duck on the lake to attract nearby flocks. (A duck-shaped object used to lure real ducks.)
  • In the scam, the charming woman acted as a decoy-duck to distract the victim while her partner picked his pocket. (A person used to mislead or entice.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a decoy-duck": to serve as a lure or distraction.

  • The innocent-looking website was merely a decoy-duck to steal users' personal information. (The site was designed to deceive.)

• "decoy-duck in a trap": a specific term in hunting where a tame duck is used to lure wild ones into a net or enclosure.

  • The old method of using a live decoy-duck in a trap is now illegal in many countries. (A traditional but now restricted hunting practice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Decoy (n): any object or person used to lure or mislead, not limited to ducks.

  • The police used a decoy car to catch the thief. (A fake vehicle as a lure.)

• Duck decoy (n): a synonym for "decoy-duck", often used interchangeably.

  • He carved wooden duck decoys for sale at the market. (Artificial ducks for hunting.)

Synonyms

• Lure: something used to attract animals or people.
  • The bright light was a lure for moths. (An attractant.)
• Bait: food or an object placed to entice prey.
  • The fisherman used worms as bait. (A natural attractant.)
• Stool pigeon: a person used as a decoy or informant.
  • The informant was a stool pigeon for the police. (A human decoy.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Decoy into: to lure someone or something into a specific place or situation.
  • The thief decoyed the guard into the empty room. (Enticed the guard to move.)
• Decoy away: to lure someone or something away from a desired location.
  • The decoy-duck decoyed the flock away from the hunter's blind. (Drew the ducks elsewhere.)

Related Idioms

• A decoy duck: used metaphorically to mean a deceptive person or thing.
  • The company's job offer was a decoy duck; they only wanted to steal the applicant's ideas. (A trick or trap.)
• Like a decoy duck: describing someone who is used as a tool for deception.
  • He felt like a decoy duck in the political scandal, set up to take the blame. (A scapegoat or pawn.)