like Christ on a stick
- idiom
- Offensive
:
como un cero a la izquierda
- Every time he tries to fix the computer, it's like Christ on a stick—completely useless.
Examples
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The new manager's leadership was like Christ on a stick during the crisis.
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His excuses were like Christ on a stick—no one believed they would work.
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He looks like Christ on a stick when he tries to lift those weights.
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Don't be like Christ on a stick during the presentation!
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The plan fell apart like Christ on a stick when we needed it the most.
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Her argument was like Christ on a stick, lacking any point or strength.
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Trying to convince him was like Christ on a stick, he simply wouldn't listen.
Synonyms
25
6.8
Unable to act or change a situation
1
7.9
Not brave or strong enough to face difficult things
1
7.1
Not brave enough to face difficult situations
Not having power or influence to make changes
Not strong and not able to make things happen
Very weak and unconvincing, like a poor excuse
Antonyms
How Weak
Surface Forms
Morphology
like + Christ + on + a + stick
The literal words ('Christ' + 'on' + 'a' + 'stick') do not transparently yield the sense 'weak, powerless, or ineffective' — the phrase relies on a culturally specific, figurative image and ironic usage. A B1 learner who knows the individual words is unlikely to predict this idiomatic meaning without prior exposure or cultural/pragmatic knowledge.
Etymology
Like Christ on a stick may come from an old image of Christ fixed to a small wooden stick or cross, looking helpless and unable to move. That picture of someone stuck and powerless is why people use the phrase to say someone or something is 'very weak', 'powerless', or 'useless'.