flop
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To fall, move, or hang in a loose, heavy, uncontrolled way, often with a soft sound; to fail completely.
A complete failure, especially in entertainment or business; an instance of flopping; to change one's position or opinion suddenly and completely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used for sudden, heavy, uncontrolled movements or dramatic failures. The noun 'flop' strongly implies a lack of success or quality that was expected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The business sense ('box-office flop') is equally common. The verb for lying down casually ('flop onto the sofa') is slightly more informal in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it strongly connotes failure or lack of control. Can be humorous or disparaging.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media reviews (e.g., 'the movie flopped').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + flop + [adverbial of place][Subject] + flop + [as complement]The [show/film] + was + a + flopVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flop sweat”
- “belly flop”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes a product or venture that fails commercially (e.g., 'The new smartphone was a market flop').
Academic
Rare, except in informal discussion of research or projects.
Everyday
Common for describing tiredness, failure of films/shows, or clumsy movement.
Technical
In computing/gaming: can describe a failed product launch or a specific animation state for ragdoll physics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He flopped into the armchair after the long run.
- The new play flopped terribly in the West End.
American English
- She flopped down on the couch to watch the game.
- The product flopped despite the big marketing campaign.
adverb
British English
- The sign was hanging floppy in the wind.
American English
- The cat lay floppy in my arms.
adjective
British English
- His hair was floppy after the swim.
- The puppy's floppy ears are adorable.
American English
- He wore a floppy hat to shield himself from the sun.
- The fabric was deliberately floppy for the design.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat flopped onto the warm floor.
- The book was a flop; nobody liked it.
- After the hike, we just flopped onto the grass.
- His first business venture was a complete flop.
- The government's new policy flopped with the public, leading to a drop in approval ratings.
- Investors pulled out after the prototype flopped during testing.
- The acclaimed director's latest offering flopped spectacularly at the international film festivals, confounding critics.
- The currency flopped against the dollar following the central bank's unexpected announcement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FLOundering fish that just gives up and flops onto the deck – it’s a total FLOP.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A HEAVY FALL (The project flopped).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'флоп' as a direct borrowing in formal Russian; use 'провал', 'неудача'.
- Do not confuse with 'флип' (flip).
- The verb 'to flop' is not 'падать' generally, but 'шлепнуться', 'плюхнуться' for the movement sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'flop' in formal writing where 'fail' is more appropriate.
- Confusing 'flop' (v/n) with 'flip' (v).
- Incorrect: 'The business flopped to succeed.' Correct: 'The business was a flop.' / 'The business flopped.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flop' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'flop' is generally informal, especially as a verb. The noun can be used in semi-formal business/entertainment contexts (e.g., 'a box-office flop'), but 'failure' is more formal.
'Drop' implies a more deliberate or gravity-led release/fall, often from a height. 'Flop' emphasizes a loose, heavy, uncontrolled movement, often onto a surface, and carries a stronger connotation of exhaustion or failure.
Rarely. It is almost always negative or neutral (describing a relaxed movement). An ironic positive use might be: 'He flopped into the perfect yoga pose,' but this is atypical.
A painful, flat dive into water where the stomach hits the surface first, making a loud slapping sound. It's often used metaphorically for any clumsy, painful failure.