PhrasesHub

Go over like a lead balloon

    Definitions

      • to be received poorly or with disapproval
        Used to describe something that is not well-received or not successful, often due to its lack of appeal or popularity among others.

      • to fail or be unsuccessful
        Can be used to express that something did not go as planned or did not have the desired outcome, often due to a lack of interest or enthusiasm from others.

    Examples of Go over like a lead balloon

    • The new marketing campaign went over like a lead balloon at the company meeting.

      In this example, "go over" is a phrasal verb used to refer to how a particular idea or presentation is received by others. When something "goes over like a lead balloon," it means that it is poorly received and fails to meet expectations. In this context, the new marketing campaign was met with great disappointment and criticism from the company's executives and staff, and therefore it did not succeed in achieving its intended goals.

    • The stand-up comedy routine bombed, it went over like a lead balloon.

      This example uses the same idiom in a different context. When someone says a joke or performs a comedy routine that falls flat and receives little to no laughter, they say it "went over like a lead balloon." In this case, the comedian's act was not well-received by the audience, who did not find it funny or entertaining.

    • The surprise party for Jenna was a success, but her reaction to it went over like a lead balloon.

      Although the party itself was enjoyable for the guests, Jenna's response to it disappointed everyone. It was as if a heavy lead balloon had descended upon the festivities when Jenna's lackluster enthusiasm or thanks ruined the mood.

    • The politician's speech on immigration was met with a chorus of boos and heckling, it went over like a lead balloon.

      This example highlights how the "go over like a lead balloon" idiom can be used to convey a strong negative reaction. In this context, the politician's speech failed miserably and provoked a hostile and antagonistic response from the audience, who made their displeasure clear with loud boos and heckling.

    • After Susan's presentation, there were crickets chirping in the room. Everyone sat in silence, and it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on them. Susan's presentation clearly went over like a lead balloon.

      The idiom "go over like a lead balloon" is a figure of speech that means to fail spectacularly. Theballoon is a symbol of excitement and celebration, but if it's made of lead, it's heavy and will sink to the ground. In this context, Susan's presentation was met with complete silence and boredom, just as a lead balloon would lose all of its air and fall to the ground. The image of crickets chirping adds to the silence and emphasizes the lack of interest in Susan's presentation. Overall, this example highlights the severity of a presentation failure.

    • The party planner's proposal for a clown-themed birthday party went over like a lead balloon. The kids' parents immediately rejected the idea, and the planner left the room with a frown on her face.

      In this example, the party planner's proposal fell flat on its face. The partygoers didn't want a clown-themed birthday party, just as a lead balloon would fall from the sky after losing all of its air. The planner's disappointed expression adds to the gravity of the failure, as she realizes that her idea was not well-received. This example demonstrates how poorly a proposal or idea can be received, and the way that the lead balloon idiom is used in this context highlights the disappointment and failure associated with proposals that miss the mark.

    • The comedian's jokes about politics didn't go over well with the audience. In fact, they went over like a lead balloon. The jokes fell flat, and the comedian was met with silence and disapproving looks.

      In this example, the comedian's jokes failed to amuse the audience. The jokes weren't funny, just as a lead balloon would lose all of its air and fall to the ground. The audience's silence and disapproving looks embody the concept of failure that comes with the use of this idiom. The audience didn't find the comedian's jokes funny, just as a lead balloon wouldn't be able to remain aloft without the air inside it. This example shows how poorly received a joke, or any other form of entertainment, can be, and the way that the lead balloon idiom is used here highlights the way that failure can impact a comedian's performance.

    • The company's decision to outsource customer service went over like a lead balloon with the employees. They felt that their jobs were being taken away, and they were upset and frustrated.

      In this example, the company's decision to outsource customer service didn't sit well with the employees. The decision was viewed as a failure, just as a lead balloon would lose all of its air and fall to the ground. The employees felt that their jobs were being taken away, and their frustration and disappointment demonstrate the way that the lead balloon idiom is used in this context to describe a negative and disappointing outcome. This example highlights the disappointment and frustration that comes with a poor decision, and the way that the lead balloon idiom is used here underscores the gravity of the situation.


    Conclusion

    Overall, the idiom "go over like a lead balloon" is used to describe something that is not well-received or successful. It can be used to caution against engaging in a particular activity or to express that something did not go as planned. It is often associated with a lack of appeal or interest from others.

    Origin of "Go over like a lead balloon"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the early 1900s in the United States. During this time, the use of hot air balloons was becoming popular and well-known. These balloons were often made of lightweight materials such as silk or nylon, but occasionally, they were made with lead. However, a hot air balloon made with lead would not be able to lift off the ground, making it a "lead balloon."

    The phrase "go over like a lead balloon" likely originated from this idea of something being heavy and not able to fly or float. It was first recorded in 1928 in a newspaper from Kansas, where it was used to describe a political speech that was poorly received by the audience. From there, it became a popular idiom to describe anything that was not well-received or successful.

    Interestingly, the phrase has also been used in British English since the 1930s, but with a slightly different meaning. In British English, it is used to describe something that is a complete failure or disaster, rather than just being poorly received. This difference in usage could be attributed to the different contexts and cultural influences on the phrase in the two regions.