fall flat

present singular third person falls flat · participle present falling flat · past fell flat · participle past fallen flat

1. To produce no humour, inspiration, etc.

   The prop comedy in Las Vegas fell flat.

   4 more examples

   When Sir Walter Scott, with a view to profit rather than fame, published "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk," with some very indifferent verses to celebrate the battle of Waterloo, Erskine, sitting at table, came out with the following impromptu:—

   1847, John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell, The Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, volume VI, page 518

   And though [Terry] Border's overly punny captions fall flat for me, the images themselves exude enough delight to make it all a treat.

   2011 November 20, Maria Popova, “Artist Terry Border Places Everyday Objects in Romantic Scenarios”, in The Atlantic

   United were made to pay for letting an eight-point lead as little as five weeks ago slip and, despite their final-day efforts, they will look back on a season where, when they needed to step up, they fell flat.

   2012 May 13, Alistair Magowan, “Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport

   Although emotions are almost entirely absent and the comedy routinely falls flat, where Dial Of Destiny is able to succeed are the action sequences.

   2023 June 28, Lauren Coates, “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny review: Harrison Ford goes to the whip”, in AV Club