flop

[ flop ]

verb (used without object)

, flopped, flop·ping.

1. to fall or plump down suddenly, especially with noise; drop or turn with a sudden bump or thud (sometimes followed by down ):

   The puppy flopped down on the couch.

2. to change suddenly, as from one side or party to another (often followed by over ).
3. to be a complete failure; fail:

   The play flopped dismally.

4. Informal. to sleep or be lodged:

   to flop at a friend's house.

5. to swing loosely; bounce; flap:

   His long hair flops in his eyes when he runs.

verb (used with object)

, flopped, flop·ping.

1. to drop with a sudden bump or thud:

   He flopped his books on a chair.

2. to dispose (oneself ) in a heavily negligent manner:

   to flop oneself in a chair.

3. to invert (the negative of a photograph) so that the right and left sides are transposed.

noun

1. an act of flopping.
2. the sound of flopping; a thud.
3. a failure:

   The new comedy was a flop.

   Synonyms: dog, bomb, debacle, disaster, fiasco

4. Informal. a place to sleep; temporary lodging:

   The mission offered a flop and a free breakfast.

5. Basketball. an exaggerated or dramatic fall intended to persuade officials to penalize the opposing team for a foul:

   His comically oversold flop didn’t fool the referees at all.

flop

/ flɒp /

verb

1. intr to bend, fall, or collapse loosely or carelessly

   his head flopped backwards

2. whenintr, often foll by into, onto, etc to fall, cause to fall, or move with a sudden noise

   the books flopped onto the floor

3. informal.
   intr to fail; be unsuccessful

   the scheme flopped

4. intr to fall flat onto the surface of water, hitting it with the front of the body
5. slang.
   introften foll byout to go to sleep

noun

1. the act of flopping
2. informal.
   a complete failure
3. slang.
   a place to sleep
4. athletics See Fosbury flop
5. the flop
   poker the first three community cards dealt face-up in a round of any of several varieties of poker, including Texas hold 'em

Other Words From

• flopper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flop¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; variant of flap; flop def 11 was first recorded in 1890–95.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flop¹

C17: variant of flap

Example Sentences

Keen Slate readers might at this point raise the fact that I suggested in 2018 that Democrats nominate Beto O’Rourke for president for similar charisma-related reasons, only for him to flop in the ensuing primary.

From Slate

"Nicole Scherzinger really thought it was a great idea to come out as a Trump supporter? When she's literally on the verge of a Tony nomination. Broadway is run by gay and trans people. After a flop attempt of a solo career, she finally found her niche and ruins it," another person chimed in.

From Salon

Possibly all the way to Broadway, where the comedian’s co-written 1972 debut, “Fun City,” closed after nine performances — a flop that’s reenacted in “Joan” itself?

From Los Angeles Times

But he decided to tackle some of the questions about racial identity that emerged from the casting brouhaha in his play “Face Value,” a spectacular flop that closed in previews on Broadway in 1993.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes you’re going to get a flop, sometimes you’re going to get a jewel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bust
• debacle
• disaster
• dud
• fiasco
• washout