Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

go down like a lead balloon

idiom

/ɡoʊ daʊn laɪk ə lɛd bəˈluːn/

Definition

To fail miserably or to be received very poorly.

Examples

The new marketing campaign went down like a lead balloon; nobody was interested in the product.
When he suggested the idea at the meeting, it went down like a lead balloon, and there was complete silence.
The movie’s plot was so confusing that it went down like a lead balloon with the critics.

Meaning

This phrase is used to describe a situation where an idea, plan, or proposal does not resonate well with an audience and falls flat, much like a heavy balloon that cannot rise.