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

Ohioans are getting bombarded with Republican ads on tax cuts, but the message is falling flat with many voters who feel the weight of higher prices. — Jarrell Dillard, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

In its uncertain tonality and zany humor that falls flat, that’s the Waititi film that Klara and the Sun most resembles. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

This season has been pockmarked by teams winning big games and falling flat the next; Indiana has to go to Michigan next week to try and buck that trend. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

The bullpens battled to a scoreless draw, the Dodgers’ last stand falling flat after Tucker and pinch-hitting rookie Josue De Paula drew a pair of two-out walks against Brewers closer Trevor Megill. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026