Like water off a duck's back

Definitions

• not affected by criticism or negative comments
  To describe someone who is able to shrug off or ignore any negative remarks or criticism directed towards them

• unable to retain or remember information
  To describe someone who quickly forgets or ignores information, similar to how water rolls off a duck's waterproof feathers

Examples of Like water off a duck's back

• "Criticism rolls off her shoulders like water off a duck's back."

  This idiom means that the person being criticized does not seem to be affected by the criticism, just as water rolls off a duck's back when it preens itself. It suggests that the person is unfazed by negative comments or feedback.

• "The harsh words of the boss did not faze her; they rolled off her shoulders like water off a duck's back."

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a sentence to convey the idea that the person being criticized is not bothered by the criticism.

• "The teacher's criticism did not seem to bother her; it rolled off her shoulders like water off a duck's back."

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe how someone seems unaffected by criticism or negative feedback.

• "Her thick skin allowed her to shrug off criticism like water off a duck's back."

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone who is resilient and does not seem to be affected by criticism or negative feedback.

• "The boss's criticism bounced off her like water off a duck's back."

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe how someone seems to deflect criticism or negative feedback, much like water bouncing off a duck's back.

Conclusion

The idiom "like water off a duck's back" can have two distinct meanings. On one hand, it can describe someone who is unaffected by criticism or negative comments, able to brush them off like water off a duck's feathers. On the other hand, it can also describe someone who is unable to retain or remember information, similar to how water quickly rolls off a duck's waterproof feathers.

Origin of "Like water off a duck's back"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was first recorded in English literature by William Lambarde in his book "A Perambulation of Kent" in 1576. However, the phrase may have been used in oral communication even before then.

The phrase is believed to have originated from the observation of ducks' behavior. Ducks have a natural waterproofing ability due to the oil glands on their feathers, which allows water to roll off their backs. This behavior was seen as a metaphor for someone who is unfazed by criticism or negative comments, leading to the creation of the idiom "like water off a duck's back." Over time, the phrase became a popular idiom and is still used in modern English today.