fall flat
fawl FLAT
/fɔl flæt/
To fail to produce the intended effect; to be completely unsuccessful.
Specifically used for jokes, performances, or arguments that fail to impress.
The story behind the word. The idiom suggests someone falling face-down on the floor—a position of total vulnerability and failure. It has been used in English since the early 1800s.
Word relationships
- flop: 'Flop' is more informal and often refers to movies or shows.
- resonate: If something resonates, it is successful and well-received.
Commonly confused with
- lead balloon: 'Fall flat' is the result; 'go over like a lead balloon' is the specific reaction of the audience.
Collocations
- fall flat on its face
- joke fell flat
- speech fell flat
Example sentences
- "The comedian's opening monologue fell flat, and the audience remained silent." Comedy
- "My suggestion for a longer lunch break fell flat with the management." Proposals
Memory hook
Think of a pancake that fails to rise and stays flat. No rise, no reaction.
When not to use
Not usually used for physical objects breaking (use 'bite the dust' for that).
Fun facts
- The phrase 'fall flat on one's face' is a common intensification of this idiom.
Related words
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