a resounding flop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a resounding flop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has failed spectacularly or has not met expectations, such as a product, performance, or event. Example: "The movie was highly anticipated, but it turned out to be a resounding flop at the box office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If a firm finds that a particular product, or a new feature added to an existing one, is a resounding flop in New Zealand, it can quietly be dropped without having much effect on the company's overall reputation.

The Economist

The Abbey of San Clemente is the first — and so far only — monument from the list of 45 to be fully restored, leading some Italian media outlets to pronounce the appeal for foreign funds and solidarity through the "wedding registry" a resounding flop.

The New York Times

One of New York's most influential theatre critics, Michael Riedel, predicted yesterday that Mrs Tom Cruise's run in the Arthur Miller play All My Sons will be a resounding flop, because its leading lady is failing to put the expected number of bums on seats.

Independent

Sometimes that led to disasters, as when he agreed to play a newspaper editor in Jeffrey Archer's play "Exclusive" in 1989 and ended up assailed by critics for contributing little more than "a ridiculous nasal whine," as one said, to a resounding flop.

The New York Times

I've seen some wonderful U17 prospects who have never kicked on, while also recalling that Neymar was a resounding flop in the World Cup at this level four years ago.  .

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Lepage's "Ring" may prove to be the strategy's most ambitious production and its most resounding flop.

The New York Times - Arts

How sad it is, then, when the product or service is finally introduced and the only reaction in the marketplace is a resounding ker-flop.

Harvard Business Review

The idea is not new: Steve Forbes, a publishing magnate, made a flat tax the centrepiece of two presidential bids, in 1996 and 2000 both resounding flops.

The Economist

In high-profile tests-most notably Visa's trial at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and a 1998 Citibank and Chase Manhattan experiment on Manhattan's Upper West Side-stored-value Side-stored-value Side-stored-valueopsmart

MIT Technology Review

Along the way there have been some resounding flops.

The Guardian

Boorman's next two films, Zardoz (1974) and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) were resounding flops.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a resounding flop" to emphasize the scale and impact of a failure, suggesting it was not just a minor setback but a significant disappointment. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "a resounding flop" for trivial failures. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the failure has significant consequences or is particularly noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a resounding flop" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a predicate nominative or object complement. It describes a subject, indicating that it experienced a significant failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a resounding flop" is a noun phrase used to describe something that has failed spectacularly. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. While grammatically sound, it's best reserved for significant failures to avoid overstatement. Alternative phrases like "complete failure" or "utter disaster" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to express disapproval or disappointment, highlighting the magnitude of the failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete failure

Emphasizes the utter lack of success.

an utter disaster

Highlights the catastrophic nature of the failure.

a dismal failure

Stresses the bleak and depressing aspect of the failure.

a spectacular failure

Focuses on the public and noticeable nature of the failure.

a crushing defeat

Highlights the demoralizing effect of the failure.

fell flat

Describes the failure in terms of a lack of impact or excitement.

bombed spectacularly

Uses a more informal, vivid term for failure.

a major setback

Downplays the failure as a temporary obstacle.

a non-starter

Indicates the idea or project never had a chance of succeeding.

an unsuccessful attempt

A more neutral and less emphatic way to describe the failure.

FAQs

What does "a resounding flop" mean?

It means a complete and unambiguous failure, where something has not only failed but has done so in a noticeable and impactful way.

What are some alternatives to "a resounding flop"?

You can use alternatives like "complete failure", "utter disaster", or "dismal failure" to describe something that has failed spectacularly.

Is it appropriate to use "a resounding flop" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, a more neutral term like "unsuccessful attempt" might be more suitable.

Can "a resounding flop" be used to describe a person?

While technically possible, it's more commonly used to describe events, products, or performances. Describing a person this way can be overly harsh and should be done with caution.