lead balloon, go over like a
go over 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 over like a lead balloon!"
See also: balloon, go, lead, like, over
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
go over like a lead balloon
Fig. to fail completely; to go over badly. Your joke went over like a lead balloon. If that play was supposed to be a comedy, it went over like a lead balloon. Her suggestion went over like a lead balloon.
See also: balloon, go, lead, like, over
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
go over like a lead balloon
in. [for something meant to be good] to fail to be good. (see also go over big.) I’m afraid your plan went over like a lead balloon.
See also: balloon, go, lead, like, over
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
lead balloon, go over like a
Utterly fail. The analogy is to a lighter-than-air vehicle made of a heavy metal, forcing it to sink. The term dates from about 1950. The Los Angeles Times had it, “ ‘Malcolm Arnold’s ‘Grand, Grand Overture’ for vacuum cleaners went over like, ah, a lead balloon” (August 27, 1983).
See also: go, lead, like, over
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- go down like a lead balloon
- go over like a lead balloon
- complain to
- complain to (someone or something)
- kick up a row
- create a stink
- kick up a stink
- complain about
- complain about (someone or something)
- motherfucking