Flop
/flɒp/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo fall or drop heavily and noisily; to move in a loose or clumsy manner.
/flɒp/
To fall or collapse heavily.
The weary actor flopped onto his bed after the performance.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're so tired after a long day that you just *flop* onto your bed like a rag doll. It's a heavy, unrestrained way of falling.
👶 For kids: To fall down suddenly and maybe make a loud sound.
More Examples
The bird flopped its wings, trying to take off.
The movie flopped at the box office.
How It's Used
"The tired child flopped onto the couch."
"The fish flopped on the deck of the boat."
To fail completely; to be unsuccessful.
/flɒp/
To be a complete failure.
The restaurant flopped because of poor service and bad food.
💡 Simply: When a plan or a product is a *flop*, it's a big-time failure. Like when a movie nobody goes to see, or a new invention everyone ignores.
👶 For kids: To not work or be a success.
More Examples
His attempt to start a business flopped.
The experiment flopped, and the scientists had to start over.
How It's Used
"The new product flopped in the market."
"The play flopped after only a few performances."
A complete failure; something that is unsuccessful.
/flɒp/
A complete failure.
The new musical was a flop, closing after only a month.
💡 Simply: When something's a *flop*, it means it was a total disaster! Think of a movie that makes no money or a plan that goes terribly wrong.
👶 For kids: Something that doesn't work.
More Examples
The party was a flop, with only a few people attending.
The product launch was a flop because of poor marketing.
How It's Used
"The company's new venture was a total flop."
"The show was a major flop and was cancelled quickly."
A heavy, clumsy fall or movement.
/flɒp/
The act of falling or dropping heavily.
The bird made a sudden flop as it clumsily fell from the branch.
💡 Simply: Think of the *flop* of a heavy object hitting the ground, like a wet towel or a tired person collapsing on the couch.
👶 For kids: When something falls down with a big thud.
More Examples
The weary dog gave a loud flop onto the cool tile floor.
He heard the flop of the heavy books being dropped.
How It's Used
"He heard the flop of the fish hitting the ground."
Idioms & expressions
flop house
A cheap, often run-down lodging house.
"The homeless man spent the night in a local flop house."
Likely of imitative origin, possibly influenced by the sound of something falling or collapsing. First recorded in the late 19th century.
The word has been used since the late 19th century, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent.
Memory tip
Think of a fish flopping on a dock.
Word Origin
"To fall or fail"