Communication
fall flat
fail to have an effect
If something falls flat, it fails to create the reaction or effect that was intended.
Hear it in real life
Did the surprise go well?
Not really; the whole thing fell flat.
I tried to lighten the meeting with a joke, but it fell completely flat.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: The joke fell flatly with everyone at dinner.
Say: The joke fell flat with everyone at dinner.
The fixed expression uses the adjective "flat," not the adverb "flatly."
Build it
How it fits in a sentence.
the joke falls flat; it fell flat; the idea has fallen flat
Your turn: say it out loud
I tried to lighten the meeting with a joke, but it fell completely flat.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
fall flat
fail to have an effect
“I tried to lighten the meeting with a joke, but it fell completely flat.”
heytardy
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