lead balloon
LED buh-LOON
/lɛd bəˈluːn/
A failure; something that is poorly received or fails to get a reaction.
Usually used in the phrase 'go over like a lead balloon' to describe a joke or idea that nobody likes.
The story behind the word. The idiom plays on the physical impossibility of a balloon made of lead (a very heavy metal) flying. It was popularized by the Peanuts comic strip character Charlie Brown.
Word relationships
- dud: A 'dud' is something that fails to work at all; a 'lead balloon' specifically fails to get a positive reaction.
- hit: A 'hit' is something very popular or well-received.
Commonly confused with
- fall flat: These are very similar, but 'lead balloon' emphasizes the heaviness and lack of 'lift' in the idea.
Collocations
- go over like a lead balloon
- sink like a lead balloon
- dropped like a lead balloon
Example sentences
- "My attempt to lighten the mood with a joke went over like a lead balloon." Social interaction
- "The proposal for a 10% pay cut went over like a lead balloon with the staff." Business proposals
Memory hook
Imagine a balloon made of heavy lead—it would just drop to the floor with a thud. Heavy failure.
When not to use
Not for physical objects; it refers to ideas, jokes, or social attempts.
Fun facts
- The band Led Zeppelin allegedly took their name from this idiom after a fellow musician joked they would go over like a 'lead zeppelin'.
Related words
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