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Synonyms

fall flat

Idioms  

  1. Fail, prove to be ineffective, as in His jokes nearly always fell flat—no one ever laughed at them. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But even when Nebraska did reach the tournament, they found new and creative ways to fall flat on their faces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The company’s annual iPhone unveilings draw a lot of interest but generally fall flat with investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Anderson is here for the melodrama, the special lessons and the climaxes that fall flat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

As long as this public perception remains and compounds with Stake’s already shady reputation, then the brainwashing might fall flat.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

I wanted to run but knew if I ever turned loose of the fence post, I would probably fall flat on my face.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.