Set the Duck / Get your Ducks in a Row

What was said? “We need a planning meeting to ‘set the duck.’”

Did someone really say that? Yes, when talking to a client about their need to get organized and prioritize their initiatives for 2025.”

What does it mean?  It means to get things in alignment / in order. It is not to be confused by “sitting duck.”

More on the Meaning: Getting your “ducks in a row,” or “setting the duck,” in the morphed phase that was brought to my attention, is all about focus. It’s getting key actions in order, getting organized, focused and have some sense of order.

Origin: We can all picture in our head an image of ducks in a pond. We can also see them crossing a path, physically in a row. However, this is not commonly suggested as the natural origin for the phrase. It is said to refer to the game of certain sports: shooting ranges, bowling and billiards.

• Shooting: Back in the 1920’s, shooting ranges were known as shooting galleries. They would have fake ducks lined up in a row for customers to practice aim.
• Bowling: In olden times, the 10-pin bowling pins were larger and stouter in nature, resembling ducks. Getting your “ducks in a row,” meant to have all your bowling pins in place before throwing the next ball.
• Pool: In this form of billiards, a ball right in front of the pocket is termed a “duck.” It is considered an easy shot. Multiple balls in front of individual pockets are called “ducks in a row.” This position is deemed advantageous.

The term “ducks in a row” was first cited in writing by the Washington Post. This happened back in 1932. The quote reads, “We have a world filled today with problems and we are trying to get our economic ducks in a row”.

With all of the background story for “ducks in a row,” there isn’t anything about “set the duck.” I’ve now heard it multiple times. I am venturing to say it’s a newer, more modern form of the old expression.

Separately, a “sitting duck” has a different meaning. This is described as a “defenseless victim,” someone without guard. When you picture a duck alone in a pond, that’s a sitting duck, an easy target.

Sources

• Vocabulary.com
• Wordfoolery