meaning - Are "Fish in a barrel" and "Sitting ducks" similar?


Do the phrases "Fish in a barrel" and "Sitting ducks" convey the same thing?


In my opinion, they have the same tone and express something to be an easy target.


Eg: Out there, they are just fish in a barrel.


Out there, they are sitting ducks.


Can they be used interchangeably or are there some differences in their usage?



Answer



Yes they are similar, but not interchangeable


The wording is



It is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel: ridiculously easy



and



They are like sitting ducks: someone or something vulnerable to attack



So you would say - Making them look stupid is like shooting fish in a barrel e.g. you are actively hunting them versus


The noobs are like sitting ducks in this flame war e.g they have made themselves an easy target


In your case:


Look at them out there: Like sitting ducks


or


Look at them out there, getting at them would be like shooting fish in a barrel


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