What does flop mean?
The word 'flop' describes both a kind of motion and a kind of outcome. Physically, to flop is to fall, drop, or hang down heavily and limply — a tired traveller flops onto a bed, a fish flops on a deck. By an informal extension, 'to flop' has come to mean failing outright, particularly in fields where public performance matters: a film flops at the box office, a product flops in the market. As a noun, a flop is the failed venture itself — a dud, a disappointment judged against its own hype. The connotations of failure are strongly negative but often tinged with sympathy or dark humour, which makes the word a staple of reviews, headlines and everyday talk about things that did not work out. Etymologically, 'flop' belongs to a small family of words — flap, flip, flip-flop — that imitate loose, flapping sounds, giving this humble term a distinctly physical, almost comic character.
To fall, drop, or hang down heavily and limply; informally, to fail completely, especially commercially or publicly.
"He flopped into the armchair with a sigh of relief."
In basketball, 'flop' specifically means deliberately falling to exaggerate contact and draw a foul call.
A complete failure, especially a film, play, or product that fails to attract audiences or sales; also the act or sound of dropping heavily and limply.
"Critics called the sequel one of the biggest flops of the decade."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple failures, e.g. of films or products. Note the separate sense 'flops' meaning casual open-toed sandals is a distinct word (flip-flops shortened) and should not be confused with failures.
"After two consecutive flops, the director struggled to secure funding."
The word 'flop' was borrowed straight from the sound of something heavy and limp hitting the ground — and by the 1910s show-business had turned that dull thud into showbiz shorthand for failure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flop
'Flop' likely arose in the seventeenth century as a variant of 'flap', reflecting the soft, heavy sound of something loose striking a surface. It belongs to a cluster of related English terms including 'flap' and 'flip' that all evoke limply moving or slapping motion. Its theatrical sense of a conspicuous failure became established in American English in the nineteenth century and spread through show business into general usage.
Related word forms
How flop is actually used
'Flop' as a failure is informal register, common in journalism about films, theatre, products and politics. In basketball, 'flop' carries a negative connotation: it names an act of deliberately falling to fake being fouled, which officials penalise. The physical sense of collapsing limply is neutral.
Easily confused with flop
'Flip' means to turn something over quickly, while 'flop' means to fall or collapse limply or to fail outright.
'Flap' means to wave or swing loosely (as wings do), whereas 'flop' suggests a heavy, limp dropping or a failure.