Flopping: meaning, definitions and examples

🙈
Add to dictionary

flopping

 

[ˈflɒp.ɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

failing badly

Flopping refers to the act of failing in a dramatic or noticeable way. This term is often used in the context of entertainment, such as movies or shows that perform poorly at the box office or receive unfavorable reviews. The word can also be applied more generally to situations in which a person, endeavor, or project fails rather spectacularly. Overall, flopping implies not just failure, but failure that is significant enough to be observed by others.

Synonyms

collapsing, failing, falling.

Examples of usage

  • The film ended up flopping despite its star-studded cast.
  • His new business venture is flopping and he's considering other options.
  • The team's strategy flopped during the crucial match.
Context #2 | Noun

poor performance

As a noun, a flopping refers to a significant failure in performance or reception. It is often used in discussions about entertainment, such as movies or television shows that do not achieve the anticipated level of success. The term may evoke feelings of disappointment or frustration, especially in industries where success is highly valued. Additionally, it can apply to non-entertainment contexts, describing any situation that has not met expectations.

Synonyms

bomb, disaster, failure.

Examples of usage

  • The record was a flopping, leading to questions about the artist's future.
  • Their last product launch was a complete flopping.
  • The flopping of the play surprised critics who had high hopes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • This word comes from the Old English 'floppian', meaning to fall or flap.
  • It evolved to describe the movement of animals like fish that jiggle around when out of their habitat.

Pop Culture

  • In the entertainment industry, a 'flop' can refer to a movie or show that receives poor reviews and fails at the box office.
  • Songs can also flop, meaning they don’t become popular or sell well.

Sports

  • In sports, a team can flop if they perform poorly, especially when they were expected to do well.
  • In basketball, a player might fake a foul, which can also be described as flopping.

Psychology

  • Experiencing a flop can lead to feelings of disappointment; this is often discussed in the context of motivation.
  • Fear of failure, known as 'atychiphobia', may prevent people from trying due to the risk of flopping.

Technology

  • Flopping is sometimes used in tech to describe a software product that fails to meet user expectations.
  • Many start-ups are considered flops if they don't attract enough users or revenue in their early stages.

Translations

Translations of the word "flopping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cair

🇮🇳 गिरना

🇩🇪 fallen

🇮🇩 jatuh

🇺🇦 падіння

🇵🇱 upadek

🇯🇵 倒れる

🇫🇷 tomber

🇪🇸 caer

🇹🇷 düşmek

🇰🇷 넘어지다

🇸🇦 السقوط

🇨🇿 padání

🇸🇰 pád

🇨🇳 跌倒

🇸🇮 padec

🇮🇸 fall

🇰🇿 құлау

🇬🇪 დაგება

🇦🇿 düşmə

🇲🇽 caer

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,821, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.