flop
der Flop, die Flops
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flop
A failure or disappointment, especially in commercial or artistic ventures such as films, products, or events.
Der mit Spannung erwartete Film entpuppte sich als totaler Flop an den Kinokassen.
The highly anticipated film turned out to be a total flop at the box office.
flop
In sports, especially basketball, a player's deliberate fall in order to fake a foul by the opponent.
Der Schiedsrichter erkannte den Flop und gab dem Spieler eine Verwarnung wegen unsportlichen Verhaltens.
The referee recognized the flop and gave the player a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Flops |
| genitive | des Flops |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Flop | die Flops |
| accusative | den Flop | die Flops |
| dative | dem Flop | den Flops |
| genitive | des Flops | der Flops |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Der Flop' is a loanword from English. It is often used in German colloquial and media language to refer to a failure.
Leider war die Party ein totaler Flop, weil kaum Gäste kamen.
Unfortunately, the party was a total flop because hardly any guests came.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Flop' from the context. In sports, especially soccer or basketball, it means faking a foul. In all other contexts, such as film, business, or everyday life, it means failure.
Das neue Smartphone der Firma war ein kommerzieller Flop.
The company's new smartphone was a commercial flop.
Der Stürmer bekam für seinen peinlichen Flop die gelbe Karte.
The striker got a yellow card for his embarrassing flop.
When something is a failure, 'Flop' is often used with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become). Very typical expressions are also 'sich als Flop entpuppen' (to turn out to be a flop) or 'sich als Flop erweisen' (to prove to be a flop).
Die teure Werbekampagne erwies sich als kompletter Flop.
The expensive advertising campaign proved to be a complete flop.
Man dachte, das Musical wird ein Erfolg, aber es wurde ein Flop.
People thought the musical would be a success, but it became a flop.
bankruptcy / flop
Die Pleite and der Flop both refer to a disappointing failure. Flop is used especially for films, products, or events when the expected audience or market success fails to materialize; Pleite is more general and colloquial. For a commercial result, Flop is therefore often the better choice, while Pleite is more suitable for a general disappointment.
Das neue Stück war an den Kinokassen ein großer Flop.
The new movie was a major flop at the box office.
Die schlecht organisierte Premiere war für das Theater eine große Pleite.
The poorly organized premiere was a major disappointment for the theater.
