go down like a lead balloon

go down like a lead balloon

To become an utter failure and/or something that causes displeasure. A: "How do you think everyone will react to the lack of bonuses this year?" B: "Oh, that news will go down like a lead balloon!"

See also: balloon, down, go, lead, like

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go down like a lead balloon

If something goes down like a lead balloon, people do not like it at all. Note: Lead is a very heavy metal. A senior source said the memo had gone down like a lead balloon. His transfer from Brentford football club went down like a lead balloon with fans. Note: You can call something that is unsuccessful or unpopular a a lead balloon. Truman knew that this cause was a lead balloon at the UN.

See also: balloon, down, go, lead, like

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

go down (or over) like a lead balloon

(especially of a speech, proposal, or joke) fail; be a flop. informal

1996 Prospect Simon Jenkins's book, Accountable to None , has gone down like a lead balloon with most Conservative reviewers.

See also: balloon, down, go, lead, like

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

go ˌdown like a lead balˈloon

(informal) be very unsuccessful; not be accepted by people: As you can imagine, the new proposals went down like a lead balloon, so we’ll have to think again. OPPOSITE: go down a bomb

Lead is a heavy soft grey metal (symbol = Pb).

See also: balloon, down, go, lead, like

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017