IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishfall flat on one's face
Meaning: To fail completely and embarrassingly.
Example: “The sequel had a huge budget and fell flat on its face at the box office.”
Origin: Recorded from 1614, at first literally, including for lying face down in reverence. The sense of a humiliating failure came later.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Se casser la figure Literally: To break oneself the figure- French: Se casser la margoulette Literally: To break one's mug
More English idioms
- burst someone's bubble To destroy someone's illusion or happy belief.
- prick up one's ears To suddenly start listening closely.
- rise from the ashes To be reborn or rebuilt after destruction or failure.
- stir up a hornet's nest To cause a lot of trouble or anger, often by provoking people.
- go down fighting To keep struggling until the very end, even when defeat is certain.
- none of your beeswax A playful way of saying "none of your business."
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eline sağlık Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
- És uma joia You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
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