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Flopping: meaning, definitions and examples

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flopping

 

[ ˈflɒp.ɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
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.

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

Etymology

The word 'flop' originates from the early 20th century and is believed to be imitative in nature, suggesting a movement that is heavy and ungraceful. It initially was used to describe the noise made by something heavy falling or dropping, particularly in the context of something failing outright. By the mid-20th century, the term evolved into a descriptor for unsuccessful films and performances, solidifying its place in the entertainment industry lexicon. 'Flopping' as a verb emerged from this origin, indicating not just simple failure, but a failure that stands out or is very noticeable. Its usage has expanded over the years to encompass various forms of unsuccessful endeavors beyond entertainment, often highlighting a lack of success that is more evident than usual.

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.