Question

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase.

To fall flat

a) To retreat
b) To meet accidentally
c) To fail
d) To be met with a cold reception

Answer 1

Hint: A phrase is an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence. An idiom is an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up.

Complete answer:

In the given question, the given phrase/idiom ‘to fall flat’ refers to failing utterly; collapsing.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'to retreat', refers to the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant).
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as it is not relevant to the meaning of the given idiom ‘to fall flat’.

Option (b.), ‘to meet accidentally', refers to coming together without advance planning.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as it is not relevant to the meaning of the given idiom ‘to fall flat’.

Option (c.), ‘to fail', refers to failing to do something; leaving something undone.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct as it is synonymous to the meaning of the given idiom ‘to fall flat’.

Option (d.), ‘to be met with a cold reception', refers to being received with psychological coldness; without human warmth or emotion.

Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not relevant to the meaning of the given idiom ‘to fall flat’.

Note: In this type of question, remember that the meanings of idioms can usually not be understood by focusing on the words that make up the idiom.
Some synonymous words/phrases of the given phrase ‘to fall flat’ are- to be unable to be effective, to be unable to achieve the desired result, fail, be unsuccessful.