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flop
[ flop ]
verb (used without object)
- 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.
- to change suddenly, as from one side or party to another (often followed by over ).
- to be a complete failure; fail:
The play flopped dismally.
- Informal. to sleep or be lodged:
to flop at a friend's house.
- to swing loosely; bounce; flap:
His long hair flops in his eyes when he runs.
verb (used with object)
- to drop with a sudden bump or thud:
He flopped his books on a chair.
- to dispose (oneself ) in a heavily negligent manner:
to flop oneself in a chair.
- to invert (the negative of a photograph) so that the right and left sides are transposed.
noun
- an act of flopping.
- the sound of flopping; a thud.
- a failure:
The new comedy was a flop.
- Informal. a place to sleep; temporary lodging:
The mission offered a flop and a free breakfast.
- 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
- intr to bend, fall, or collapse loosely or carelessly
his head flopped backwards
- whenintr, often foll by into, onto, etc to fall, cause to fall, or move with a sudden noise
the books flopped onto the floor
- informal.intr to fail; be unsuccessful
the scheme flopped
- intr to fall flat onto the surface of water, hitting it with the front of the body
- slang.introften foll byout to go to sleep
noun
- the act of flopping
- informal.a complete failure
- slang.a place to sleep
- See Fosbury flopathletics See Fosbury flop
- the flopthe flop poker the first three community cards dealt face-up in a round of any of several varieties of poker, including Texas hold 'em
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Other Words From
- flopper noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of flop1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of flop1
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Example Sentences
That doesn’t mean the new platforms are a flop — or even that they aren’t great.
It was an expensive flop, plagued by delays and quality issues, and the company ended up in bankruptcy.
Whether ill-judged or simply ahead of its time, the transition was a resounding flop.
The company has been rumored for sometime to be working on a less expensive follow-up to its flop smart speaker, the HomePod.
If it’s a flop, we probably will never learn how many people took advantage.
When Fernandez got control of AirAsia it had been a limping, government-subsidized flop.
Earlier, a two-headed dragon in the Ron Howard flop Willow was known, at least around the set, as the “Ebersisk.”
Everyone dressed appropriately and even impeccably—not a flip-flop in sight.
In case the film was transposed to 2014, the director believes it would be a guaranteed flop.
Not surprisingly, the per diem proposal has been a flop since Moran floated it a few weeks ago.
Bud turned his hotcakes with a vicious flop that spattered more batter on the stove.
Never a flop of tail to indicate gratitude for blandishments, never the faintest symptom of canine appreciation.
One of these days Dan will take a flop and land clean over in the Thatcher camp.
She says to tell you it looks at last like our old eagle bird will have a chance to flop its wings in France.
Margaret knelt in a soft flop of scented lingerie beside the indignant young thing.
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More About Flop
What does flop mean?
To flop is to plump down or fall suddenly, often making a noise, as in After the long hike, Sasha flopped on the grass to rest.
To flop can also mean to drop something with a sudden bump, as in Dola flopped her books to the floor to make room on the desk.
To flop also means to fail completely, as in The new play flopped because the actors didn’t know their lines and no one came after opening night.
Flop can be used as a noun to refer to any of these actions, as well.
Example: I flopped on the couch after a long day of work.
Where does flop come from?
The first records of the term flop come from around 1595. It is a variant of the word flap. It was first used to mean “a failure” around 1890.
Flop’s main sense relates to a sudden fall, but this can be used broadly. For example, the term flip-flop means “to change suddenly,” as well as a type of sandal that creates a flopping sound when you walk in them. Flop often describes someone laying down to rest or sleep, but it can also describe a fall that is somewhat humorous. As a failure, flop often describes a product or business that is not well received.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to flop?
- flopper (noun)
- floppy (adjective)
What are some synonyms for flop?
What are some words that share a root or word element with flop?
What are some words that often get used in discussing flop?
How is flop used in real life?
Flop is frequently used to mean failure.
Well, if you’re going to have a flop, make sure your name is on it at least 4x. I’m proud of #CharliesAngels and happy it’s in the world.
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) November 18, 2019
if y'all let Kesha's album flop i will never forgive u
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) July 14, 2017
Papers, presentations, finals, planning Thanksgiving and Lyric’s Birthday…I’m ready to flop on the couch and have a cheat day. #Pooped
— Beth Copeland (@TheBethPhoenix) November 22, 2017
Try using flop!
Is flop used correctly in the following sentence?
“Oba was so excited that she flopped up from her chair and danced around.
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