lay an egg

phrase

Definition of lay an eggnext
1
as in trip
to make a mistake His book report was going perfectly until he laid an egg and got the main character's name wrong.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in collapse
to be unsuccessful The gymnast nailed perfect landings on her first two vaults but really laid an egg on the third.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay an egg
  1. drop the ball
  2. fall short
  3. fall flat
Phrase
  • The Rays were an out away from a 3-1 loss when DeLuca delivered a two-out home run down the left field line that got a little help getting over the 4-foot, 11-inch fence as Samad Taylor appeared to make the catch, then dropped the ball on contact.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Which wideout or defensive back will literally and figuratively drop the ball?
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop the ball
Phrase
  • So much work has gone into getting bipartisan backing and support from the big power conferences that falling short would be a huge setback for the organization.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Stroud, offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the offensive line, the receivers and running backs, even the front office — were publicly and privately accountable for their part in the team falling short.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fall short
Phrase
  • Then there’s the dubious CGI, which falls flat compared with the practical stunt work and effects that gave the first three films so much of their tactile charm.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And contrary to popular belief, not all of last year’s big premieres fell flat at the Lido.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fall flat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

layabouts
lay an egg
lay away
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lay an egg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20an%20egg. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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