if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb

A subject can be identified by observing its habitual characteristics.

Pronunciation

en-us-if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.ogg

Word forms

if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck

Synonyms

when I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck

Related words

duck test duck typing

← if it had not been for
← if it had teeth, it'd bite one
← if it isn't
← if it kills one
← if it looks like a duck

if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck →
if it looks, swims, walks and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck →
if it wasn't →
if it were not for →
if it works, it works →

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