fall flat2 informalFAIL if a joke, story etc falls flat, it does not achieve the effect that is intended 〔笑话、故事等〕没有达到预期效果 Unfortunately, what could have been a powerful drama fell flat. 真可惜,本该是很有影响力的一出戏却没有出彩。
fall flat• He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.• But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.• However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.• Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.