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fall flat

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fall flat (on your face)

to fail completely Most of her jokes fell flat and her act was a disaster. It used to be an amazing magazine, but it's fallen flat on its face.

See also: fall, flat

fall flat

 

1. if an entertainment or a joke falls flat, people do not enjoy it and do not think it is funny Several attempts at humour during his speech fell flat.

2. if an attempt to influence people's behaviour or opinions falls flat, it fails The advertising campaign which had worked so well in the US fell flat in China. The statement that pregnancy is not an illness falls flat with many morning sickness sufferers.

See also: fall, flat

fall flat

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

See also: fall, flat

fall flat

1. To fail miserably when attempting to achieve a result.

2. To have no effect: The jokes fell flat.

See also: fall, flat