flop / disappointment
der Reinfall, die Reinfälle
Loading your saved state.
flop
A major disappointment or failure, especially when you had high hopes for something.
Der teure Urlaub war wegen des schlechten Wetters ein kompletter Reinfall.
The expensive vacation was a complete flop because of the bad weather.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Reinfälle |
| genitive | des Reinfalles |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Reinfall | die Reinfälle |
| accusative | den Reinfall | die Reinfälle |
| dative | dem Reinfall | den Reinfällen |
| genitive | des Reinfalles des Reinfalls | der Reinfälle |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Reinfall' is made up of 'rein' in the sense of 'hinein' (in / into) and 'Fall' (fall). The word therefore brings to mind falling into something and is used figuratively for a disappointing experience.
Der Kauf des alten Hauses war ein Reinfall.
Buying the old house was a flop.
'Reinfall' is colloquial. In formal texts, 'Misserfolg' (failure), 'Fehlschlag' (failed attempt), or 'Enttäuschung' (disappointment) are more appropriate.
Die Party war ein Reinfall, weil kaum Gäste kamen.
The party was a flop because hardly any guests came.
For a major disappointment, phrases such as 'ein kompletter Reinfall' (a complete flop), 'ein totaler Reinfall' (a total flop), and 'sich als Reinfall erweisen' (to turn out to be a flop) are especially common.
Der angeblich einfache Aufbau erwies sich als Reinfall.
The supposedly easy assembly turned out to be a flop.
