FLOP (flopped, flopping)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: flopped    , flopping   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flop mean? 

• FLOP (noun)
  The noun FLOP has 4 senses:

1. an arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers

2. someone who is unsuccessful

3. a complete failure

4. the act of throwing yourself down

  Familiarity information: FLOP used as a noun is uncommon.

• FLOP (verb)
  The verb FLOP has 3 senses:

1. fall loosely

2. fall suddenly and abruptly

3. fail utterly; collapse

  Familiarity information: FLOP used as a verb is uncommon.

• FLOP (adverb)
  The adverb FLOP has 2 senses:

1. with a flopping sound

2. exactly

  Familiarity information: FLOP used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLOP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

floating-point operation; flop

Context example:

this computer can perform a million flops per second

Hypernyms ("flop" is a kind of...):

computer operation; machine operation (an elementary operation that a computer is designed and built to perform)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Someone who is unsuccessful

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

dud; flop; washout

Hypernyms ("flop" is a kind of...):

failure; loser; nonstarter; unsuccessful person (a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A complete failure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

bust; fizzle; flop

Context example:

the play was a dismal flop

Hypernyms ("flop" is a kind of...):

failure (an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "flop"):

bomb; dud; turkey (an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual)

Derivation:

flop (fail utterly; collapse)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The act of throwing yourself down

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

collapse; flop

Context example:

he landed on the bed with a great flop

Hypernyms ("flop" is a kind of...):

descent (the act of changing your location in a downward direction)

Derivation:

flop (fall loosely)

floppy (hanging limply)

• FLOP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they flop    ... he / she / it flops   
Past simple: flopped   
Past participle: flopped   
-ing form: flopping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fall loosely

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

He flopped into a chair

Hypernyms (to "flop" is one way to...):

break; cave in; collapse; fall in; founder; give; give way (break down, literally or metaphorically)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence examples:

The children flop in the rocking chair
There flop some children in the rocking chair

Derivation:

flop (the act of throwing yourself down)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fall suddenly and abruptly

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "flop" is one way to...):

come down; descend; fall; go down (move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Fail utterly; collapse

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

fall flat; fall through; flop; founder

Context example:

The project foundered

Hypernyms (to "flop" is one way to...):

fail; go wrong; miscarry (be unsuccessful)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

The business is going to flop

Derivation:

flop (a complete failure)

• FLOP (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With a flopping sound

Context example:

he tumbled flop into the mud

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exactly

Synonyms:

flop; right

Context example:

he fell flop on his face

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

 Context examples 

“Tell him the deck flopped up and gouged yer teeth out iv yer jaw,” Louis grinned.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I flopped down into that chair, and nothing would budge me until Mr. Soames he went for you.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

To prevent it: • Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool • Wear clean socks • Don't walk barefoot in public areas • Wear flip-flops in locker room showers • Keep your toenails clean and clipped short

(Athlete's Foot, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The state-room was next the cabin, and we flocked in there and flopped down on the settees, all speaking together, for we were just mad with the feeling that we were free once more.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The sand-banks far out were spotted with uncouth crawling forms, huge turtles, strange saurians, and one great flat creature like a writhing, palpitating mat of black greasy leather, which flopped its way slowly to the lake.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)