flat joke

USAGE SUMMARY

“flat joke” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a joke that has been told many times and has become dull or tiresome. For example: “I heard the same old flat joke about the two cannibals again.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I waited, like my father, for the slipup, the flat joke.

The New Yorker

And speaking of bathrooms, the movie belabors a flat joke involving a virginal nerd with an acutely shy bladder.

The New York Times

She withdrew from consideration after a bumbling start marked by an infamous New York Times interview where her speech was marked with "ums" and "you knows" and made a flat joke about the reporters working for a women's magazine.

Huffington Post

Neil Patrick Harris, who earned his stripes hosting the Tonys, was similarly anointed and has been in such demand that he may be the first documented case of Post-hosting Stress Syndrome: His over-commitment was the running (and unfortunately flat) joke of this year's Emmys.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr Easterbrook makes flat jokes and can be oddly lazy.

The Economist

Despite scant evidence of significant talent in his early performances, which rely on flat jokes that elicit more groans than giggles, he refuses to give up.

The New York Times

There are unpleasant wheezing noises as it tries to squeeze itself into a format (cassock) that's clearly too small and sensible for its large, flat jokes about dyed sheep and Barry White.

The Guardian

Flat jokes, uneven performances, and a predictable romance help make "Bounty Killer" a lot less fun than it should be — a killer shame, given its boldly gonzo premise.

Los Angeles Times

The flattest jokes are enough to get someone a reputation for wit and Rory is described as being 'ahead of his time' for liking baked beans with his egg and chips ('the waitress would kind of look at him').

The Guardian - Books

He has also said that "some are in-jokes, and some are just flat out jokes".

Wikipedia

John McDonnell MP is chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs After the flattest opening joke in political speech-making recent history, Ed Miliband could only get better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flat joke" to describe humor that doesn't resonate with an audience or feels predictable and uninspired. It's often used in reviews or critiques of comedic performances or writing.

Common error

Avoid using "flat joke" to describe a joke that is intentionally clean or family-friendly. A "flat joke" is one that fails to elicit laughter, not necessarily one that lacks edgy content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flat joke" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("flat") with a noun ("joke") to characterize a particular type of joke. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s a valid and usable expression. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from reviews to personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flat joke" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe a joke that fails to elicit laughter or amusement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Some of the alternatives you can use are "failed joke" or "unfunny joke". Remember that a "flat joke" describes a joke that didn't land well, not necessarily one that is offensive or inappropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joke that fell flat

Rephrases the original term as a clause, maintaining the core meaning.

failed joke

Emphasizes the unsuccessful nature of the joke.

bombing joke

Highlights the joke's complete lack of success with the audience.

unfunny joke

Directly states the lack of humor in the joke.

lame joke

Suggests the joke is weak and uninspired.

weak joke

Indicates the joke lacks impact or effectiveness.

dud joke

Implies the joke is a failure and does not deliver.

tasteless joke

Indicates the joke is offensive or inappropriate, and therefore not funny.

stale joke

Suggests the joke is old and overused.

poorly received joke

Focuses on the negative reaction the joke received.

FAQs

What does it mean when a joke is described as "flat"?

When a joke is described as "flat", it means that it failed to elicit a positive response from the audience. It didn't get laughs or even mild amusement; it simply didn't land well.

What are some synonyms for a "flat joke"?

Alternatives to "flat joke" include "failed joke", "lame joke", or a "joke that fell flat", all suggesting a lack of humor or a poor reception.

Is it correct to say a joke "fell flat"?

Yes, saying a joke "fell flat" is a common idiom that means the joke was not successful and didn't get any laughs. It's a perfectly acceptable and understandable phrase.

How is a "flat joke" different from a "bad joke"?

While both terms describe an undesirable outcome, a "bad joke" might be offensive or poorly constructed, whereas a "flat joke" simply fails to be funny, regardless of its content or construction.