it was a flop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a flop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that failed or was unsuccessful, such as a project, event, or product. Example: "The movie was highly anticipated, but unfortunately, it was a flop at the box office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It was a flop, but its software is beautiful, its online store is rich and social, and the $15-a-month 15-a-month 15-a-monthlan turns your WP7 phone into all-you-can-listenturnsio.

The New York Times - Tech

It was a flop at its premiere in 1857 in Venice.

The New York Times - Arts

On its first week of release, JFK tied with Beauty and the Beast for fifth place in the U.S. box office and its critics began to say it was a flop.

Wikipedia

It was a flop at the time but its influence was subsequently considerable on the occult revival of the late 19th century and contemporary magical traditions.

The Guardian - Books

Indeed by the standards of the business it was a flop, because it didn't pay back its investors in its original run and did not even spawn a touring company.

The New York Times

In Hollywood terms, it was a flop.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is a flop.

The New York Times

Or worse, if it's a flop.

The New York Times

If it's a flop, they keep the money.

The New York Times

"I want to see if it's a flop first".

The New York Times

"You're guaranteed that people will look at it, even it it's a flop".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a flop" to describe events, products, or performances that did not achieve their intended goals or meet expectations. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was a flop" when describing serious or tragic events. This phrase is best suited for situations where the failure is more disappointing than catastrophic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a flop" functions as a declarative statement expressing that something has failed to meet expectations or achieve its intended goal. As Ludwig confirms, this construction is standard and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a flop" is a common and acceptable phrase used to describe something that has failed to achieve its intended outcome. As Ludwig highlights, its grammatical structure is correct, and its meaning is widely understood. While versatile, it's more suitable for describing disappointing failures rather than catastrophic disasters. Its usage is particularly frequent in news media, though slightly less common in highly formal writing where alternatives like "it was unsuccessful" or "it did not meet expectations" might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it flopped

A more concise verb form of the original phrase.

it was a failure

Uses the noun "failure" instead of the more colloquial "flop".

it was unsuccessful

Replaces "flop" with a more formal and general term for lack of success.

it didn't succeed

A simple and direct way of stating that something did not achieve its intended outcome.

it failed miserably

Uses a stronger adverb to emphasize the degree of failure.

it bombed

Uses the verb "bombed" to describe a complete and utter failure, especially in entertainment.

it fell flat

An idiomatic expression suggesting a lack of impact or excitement.

it didn't pan out

An informal phrase meaning something didn't work out as planned.

it proved to be a disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown resulting from the failure.

it went down the drain

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete waste or loss.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a flop" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a flop" to describe something that failed to achieve its intended result. For example, "The new product launch was highly anticipated, but "it was a flop" and sales were very low."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was a flop"?

Alternatives include "it was unsuccessful", "it didn't succeed", or "it was a failure". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "it was a flop" too informal for professional writing?

While "it was a flop" can be used in professional contexts, it might be perceived as too informal for highly formal documents. Consider using alternatives like "it was unsuccessful" or "it did not meet expectations" in those cases.

What makes "it was a flop" different from "it was a disaster"?

"It was a flop" implies a failure to achieve the intended outcome, often with a sense of disappointment. "It was a disaster", on the other hand, suggests a more significant and negative outcome, often involving harm or destruction. A failed product launch might be described as a flop, whereas a major accident would be a disaster.