lead balloon
Figurative heavy failure
Something that fails completely or is received with total indifference.
The image is of a balloon made from lead—it couldn't possibly fly.
Almost always appears in the phrase go over like a lead balloon: My suggestion to cut the holiday party went over like a lead balloon.
The British variant is go down like a lead balloon.
Complete commercial failure
- dudFailed device or effort
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- disasterSudden ruinous event
bust · bomb · clunker · washout · misfire · letdown · blunder · sinker
Not liked by many
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- criticismJudgment of faults
- dismissalRemoval from position
resistance · derision · boycott · unwelcome · tone-deaf · misjudged · ill-timed · deaf ears
flop
Complete commercial failure
disaster · bust · bomb · clunker · washout · misfire · letdown · blunder · sinker · collapse
unpopular
Not liked by many
dismissal · resistance · derision · boycott · unwelcome · tone-deaf · misjudged · ill-timed · deaf ears · cold shoulder
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
heckler · crickets · groan · deadpan · bombed · flatline · awkward · silence · tough crowd · dying
leaden
Oppressively heavy or dull
sinking · dense · ponderous · gravity · drag · thud · grounded · earthbound · deflated · flat
lead balloonsmash hit
Overwhelming popular success
runaway success · roaring success · blockbuster · crowd-pleaser · sensation
lead balloonhelium balloon
Gas-filled floating sphere
hot air balloon · feather · kite · rocket · bird
lead, balloon, leading, leader, leaders, leadership, mislead, misleading, balloons