From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfall flatfall flatFUNNYif a joke, remark, or performance falls flat, it fails to interest or amuse people Marlow’s attempts at jokes fell flat. → fall
Examples from the Corpus
fall flat• At first, Gorbachev's political ideas fell flat.• Koppel's clumsy joke fell flat.• He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.• But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.• I knew it would fall flat; but it wasn't the bad script which made the film unsuccessful.• Your joke about the nuns really fell flat, didn't it?• However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.• Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.fall flatfall flatinformalFAIL if a joke, story etc falls flat, it does not achieve the effect that is intended Unfortunately, what could have been a powerful drama fell flat. → flatExamples from the Corpus
fall flat• He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.• But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.• However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.• Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow. 