I am wondering whether it is a wrong expression, it is rarely heard in spoken Chinese.

There are two relavant expressions:

1. "踢到铁板"，kicked the iron plate, which means one encounters trouble while bullying who he thought was weak.

e.g. 他以为这小孩很好欺负，结果踢到铁板了。

2. "冷板凳", a cold bench. It's a metaphor for a position that is neglected or left out. 

e.g. 历史研究者需要坐得住冷板凳。

It means relegated to an unimportant position (from hot favorite).