der  Flop

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/flɔp/

📉 What does "der Flop" mean?

The word der Flop is a noun borrowed from English and generally means a failure, a dud, or something that has failed. It's often used to describe the failure of projects, products, movies, plays, or other ventures from which success was actually expected.

It has only one meaning and is always masculine (maskulin). There's no risk of confusion due to different articles.

• Meaning: Misserfolg (failure), Reinfall (flop, dud), Fehlschlag (failure), Pleite (bust, bankruptcy, often used informally for any failure)
• Origin: Anglicism (from English flop)

📚 Grammar of "Flop" in Detail

Der Flop is a masculine noun (maskulines Substantiv). It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Der neue Film war leider ein großer Flop an den Kinokassen.
   Unfortunately, the new movie was a big flop at the box office.
2. Nach dem Flop des Produkts musste die Firma Verluste hinnehmen.
   After the product's flop, the company had to accept losses.
3. Wir müssen analysieren, warum das Projekt zu einem solchen Flop wurde.
   We need to analyze why the project became such a flop.
4. Trotz hoher Erwartungen erwies sich die Veranstaltung als Flop.
   Despite high expectations, the event turned out to be a flop.

🗣️ How "der Flop" is used

The term der Flop is mostly used colloquially (umgangssprachlich) but is widely understood. It describes situations where something doesn't meet expectations or fails completely.

• Business/Marketing: A product that doesn't sell ("Das neue Smartphone war ein Flop." - The new smartphone was a flop.)
• Culture/Media: A movie, book, or play without audience success ("Der teure Hollywood-Blockbuster entpuppte sich als Flop." - The expensive Hollywood blockbuster turned out to be a flop.)
• Everyday life: A general failure or disappointment ("Meine Idee für die Party war ein totaler Flop." - My idea for the party was a total flop.)

Although it's an Anglicism, "Flop" is firmly established in German usage. Alternatively, German words like Misserfolg (failure) or Reinfall (flop, dud) can be used, which often sound slightly more formal.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Flop"

For the article: Think of something big and masculine (der) making a 'flop' sound as it falls – it's der Flop.

For the meaning: The word sounds like 'plop' or 'fall'. A Flop is something that 'falls through' or fails.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Potential Confusion:

Sometimes "Flop" might be confused with "Flip-Flop" (the type of sandal), which has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Auf Deutsch:

Warum ging die Investition in die neue Diät-Cola schief?
Sie war ein kalorienfreier Flop!

English Translation:

Why did the investment in the new diet cola go wrong?
It was a calorie-free flop!

🎶 Poem about a Flop

Auf Deutsch:

Große Pläne, kühne Sicht,
Viel investiert, ans Licht gebracht.
Doch keiner kam, das war der Clou,
Das Projekt machte einfach "Puh".
Am Ende stand, ganz ohne Top,
Nur eines fest: Es war der Flop.

English Translation:

Big plans, a vision bold,
Much invested, story told.
But no one came, that was the key,
The project just went "phew", you see.
In the end, not reaching the top,
One thing was clear: It was the flop.

❓ Little Riddle

Auf Deutsch:

Ich bin das Gegenteil von Hit,
Bringe oft Enttäuschung mit.
Man hofft auf mich niemals im Spiel,
Denn ich bedeute: Nichts erreicht am Ziel.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: der Flop

English Translation:

I am the opposite of a hit,
Often bringing disappointment with it.
You never hope for me in the game,
Because I mean: achieving nothing is my aim.

What am I?

Answer: der Flop

💡 Other Information

Origin: The word "Flop" comes directly from English (to flop = to fall down, fail). It became established in German mainly after World War II, especially in connection with the film and music industries.

Spelling: Besides "Flop", the Germanized spelling "Flopp" is occasionally found, but "Flop" is the more common variant.

Context: You'll often hear about Kinoflops (box office flops) or Produktflops (product flops).