duck's egg
/'dʌkseg/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A score of zero in cricket: In the sport of cricket, a "duck's egg" is a term for a batsman being dismissed without scoring any runs. The term originates from the shape of the number '0', which resembles an egg. 2. A score of zero in other contexts (chiefly British, informal): By extension, it can be used to refer to a score of zero in other games or tests, though this usage is less common.
Usage
- The term is primarily used in the context of cricket to describe a batsman's unfortunate score.
- It is often used in the phrase "to make a duck's egg" or simply "to get a duck."
- The more common and modern shortened form is simply "a duck."
Examples
- In Cricket:
- The opening batsman was out for a duck's egg in the first over.
- He was disappointed to score a duck's egg in such an important match.
- In Extended Use:
- Our team got a duck's egg in the quiz last night. We didn't answer a single question correctly.
Advanced Usage
- "Golden Duck": When a batsman is dismissed on the very first ball they face, it is called a "golden duck."
- "Diamond Duck" (or "Royal Duck"): When a batsman is dismissed without facing a single ball (e.g., run out from a non-striker's end).
Variants and Related Words
- Duck (n.): The standard and more frequent short form for "duck's egg."
- He was out for a duck.
- Blob (n., British informal): Another informal term for a score of zero, used in various sports and contexts.
- Goose egg (n., chiefly North American): The equivalent informal term for a score of zero in American English.
Synonyms
- Zero
- Nought
- Nil
Related Idioms
- "To break one's duck": To score one's first run(s) in an innings or match, thereby avoiding a score of zero. This idiom is used in cricket and can be extended metaphorically.
- The young player finally broke his duck with a boundary.
- After three failed attempts, she broke her duck and won her first tournament.
Noun
- (cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman