Duds

In its most common usage, 'duds' refers to clothing, especially old, unfashionable, or otherwise undesirable garments. It can also be used metaphorically to describe things or people that are unsuccessful, useless, or of poor quality. The term suggests a lack of value or effectiveness. Furthermore, 'duds' might refer to something that fails to work or produce the desired result, such as a device or a person's performance. The overall connotation is one of disappointment, inadequacy, or obsolescence.

Duds meaning with examples

• After weeks of trekking through the wilderness, the hikers were eager to ditch their worn-out duds for fresh, clean clothes at the supply outpost. The tattered jeans and ripped shirts had served their purpose, but it was time for a wardrobe upgrade. The weight and discomfort of those duds were no longer tolerable, and they dreamed of comfort.
• The antique store was a treasure trove, but most of the duds were carefully tucked away in the back room. Among the polished gems there were many examples of broken ceramics and worn furniture. The bargain-hunting customer would need a keen eye to distinguish the treasure from the duds, but the search was worthwhile.
• The tech startup's initial product release was a collection of duds. The app was riddled with bugs, the user interface was clunky, and the functionality was barely present. The founders scrambled to salvage the situation, but the reputation of the company and the product was suffering from the duds.
• During the performance, the actress felt her lines fail and her gestures appear awkward. It was becoming increasingly clear that her performance was a collection of duds, falling flat with the audience. She stumbled through the act, hoping to salvage the ending as the situation threatened to collapse.