[gwnn]

I have my opinion on this but wanted to see if people agreed with it :-) but maybe for 655321's example people who like option 2 think you shouldn't say duck the Ace you should say duck from the Ace or just duck?

dictionary.com is again unhelpful:

Quote

5.
to lower suddenly: Duck your head going through that low doorway.
6.
to avoid or evade (a blow, unpleasant task, etc.); dodge: to duck a hard right; to duck an embarrassing question.
7.
to plunge or dip in water momentarily.
8.
Cards Informal . to play a card lower than (the card led).

5 and 6 seem contradictory for the purposes of the situation and 7 seems too specific. I don't understand 8 fully but it would seem to indicate option number 2

[nige1]

IMO: You duck the king when an opponent plays the king and you withhold your ace.
For example, at no-trump, with Axx opposite xx, you might elect to duck the first couple of honour leads.
(cf "You duck a blow or a responsibility")

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Nigel writes:
"....when an opponent plays the King and you withhold your Ace". He called it "duck(ing) the King"...

I read it as:
You duck ( the trick by withholding ) the Ace. Obviously you play a lower card ( than the K ) when you "duck the Ace" ).

And when you don't have the Ace, do you really "duck" the King ?? There is no choice involved.
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But hey, I'm not sure which is grammatically correct, and I usually agree with everything Nigel posts.