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

1. (cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman