Synonyms of fall flat

fall flat

phrase

1

as in collapse

to be unsuccessful

Her performance fell flat despite weeks of rehearsing.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• fail
• flop
• strike out
• fold
• struggle
• fall short
• miss
• come up empty
• bomb
• come to grief
• lay an egg
• come a cropper
• tank
• wash out
• founder
• flame out
• fall on one's face
• crater
• flunk
• die on the vine
• decline
• crash
• slip
• slump
• go under
• skid
• flounder
• crumble
• wane
• sink
• misfire
• miscarry
• implode
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• succeed
• go over
• work out
• deliver
• click
• come off
• pan out
• cook
• thrive
• flourish
• triumph
• win
• prevail
• prosper

2

as in fall short

to go wrong

Their game plan fell flat when their star player suffered an injury.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fall short
• come to grief
• fail
• stall
• come a cropper
• die
• misfire
• miscarry
• miss
• struggle
• flop
• founder
• crash
• fold
• tank
• break down
• wash out
• bomb
• slump
• skid
• flounder
• slip
• flame out
• conk (out)
• fizzle
• decline
• wane
• bust
• flunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeed
• prevail
• thrive
• flourish
• prosper

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fall flat

Without a well-fitting T-shirt or tank, an ensemble can fall flat or look unfinished. — Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2026

After recording a convincing win in its first matchup with Denver, the Current fell flat in the second half of what had been a tight contest at Orlando. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Any of the others could fall flat, too, but for different reasons. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 15 July 2026

On the downside, the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) isn’t fleshed out enough and the chemistry between Bale and Katie Holmes, as an assistant DA and the childhood friend of Bruce’s, falls flat. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026