go over like a lead balloon

phrase

variants (US) or British go down like a lead balloon

informal

: to fail completely to impress or amuse other people

She knew that the speech—at least in parts—was likely to go over like a lead balloon …

—Chris Cillizza

But the last time I saw it on stage, in Ned Sherrin's 1996 revival, the dialogue bored me rigid and the whole thing … went down like a lead balloon.

—David Nice