fall flat

Verb

1. To produce no humour, inspiration, etc.
   • The prop comedy in Las Vegas fell flat.
   • When Sir Walter Scott, with a view to profit rather than fame, published "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk," with some very indifferent verses to celebrate the battle of Waterloo, Erskine, sitting at table, came out with...
   • And though [Terry] Border's overly punny captions fall flat for me, the images themselves exude enough delight to make it all a treat. - 2011 November 20, Maria Popova, “Artist Terry Border Places Everyday Objects in...