broken bird

plural broken birds

1. A bird that is unable to fly due to one or both of its wings being broken.

   The lifeguard said he would call animal control and I went back to stand watch over the broken bird.

   2003, Krista Beth Driver, But I Want a Casserole: Diary of an Eating Disorder, Xulon Press, →ISBN, page 233

2. aeronauticsAn unflyable aircraft, particularly one that has been grounded or downed.

   He threw off his helmet, released himself from the belts, straps, hoses and wires and climbed down from the broken bird.

   1999, Peter J. Azzole, Hell to Pay, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 58

3. figurativelyA troubled or emotionally fragile person, especially one suffering the aftereffects of a personal trauma.

   He was shunned by the entire community, and died shortly after, a broken bird.

   1996, David Curzon, The View from Jacob's Ladder: One Hundred Midrashim, The Jewish Publication Society, →ISBN, page 93