fall flat

phrase

: to produce no response or result

the joke fell flat

Examples of fall flat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But there is still a risk these climate ambitions may fall flat. — Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026

For the most part, Chéri and Baum simply go full steam ahead, which means that their intermittent attempts to have things both ways usually end up falling flat. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026

His efforts to secure help through CARE Court have fallen flat because Cali has refused services. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026

In the scenario that Washington falls flat the rest of the season, the consequences could be widespread. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fall flat

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat