go\ over\ like\ a\ lead\ balloon

go\ over\ like\ a\ lead\ balloon
v. phr. informal
To fail to generate a positive response or enthusiasm; to meet with boredom or disapproval.

The president's suggested budget cuts went over like a lead balloon.

Jack's off-color jokes went over like a lead balloon.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • go over like a lead balloon — {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to generate a positive response or enthusiasm; to meet with boredom or disapproval. * /The president s suggested budget cuts went over like a lead balloon./ * /Jack s off color jokes went over like a lead balloon./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • go over like a lead balloon — {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to generate a positive response or enthusiasm; to meet with boredom or disapproval. * /The president s suggested budget cuts went over like a lead balloon./ * /Jack s off color jokes went over like a lead balloon./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • go over like a lead balloon — (US) (or Brit go down like a lead balloon) informal of a joke, suggestion, etc. : to fail completely He told a joke about his mother in law and it went over like a lead balloon. [=no one laughed at the joke] My suggestion went over like a lead… …   Useful english dictionary

  • go over like a lead balloon — (USA) If something goes over like a lead balloon, it will not work well, or go over well …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • go over like a lead balloon — in. [for something meant to be good] to fail to be good. (See also go over big.) □ The joke went over like a lead balloon. □ I’m afraid your plan went over like a lead balloon …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • go down (or N. Amer. over) like a lead balloon — informal (of a speech, proposal, or joke) be poorly received. → the lead …   English new terms dictionary

  • go over like a lead balloon — verb To fail to gain acceptance: to be received poorly …   Wiktionary

  • Go over like a lead balloon — fail dismally; fail to elicit the desired response …   Dictionary of Australian slang

  • go over like a lead balloon — Australian Slang fail dismally; fail to elicit the desired response …   English dialects glossary

  • lead balloon — lead bal|loon [ ,led bə lun ] noun go over/down like a lead balloon to completely fail to please people: My presentation went over like a lead balloon; nobody cracked a smile …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”