lay an egg

idiom biology

The phrase "lay an egg" has both literal and idiomatic meanings, spanning from the natural process in animals to describing failures in performances or efforts.

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Definition

B1Biology

(technical)To produce and deposit an egg, as done by birds, reptiles, insects, and other egg-laying animals.

Example

The hen will lay an egg every morning.
Many reptiles lay eggs in sandy nests.

B2Idiomatic

(informal)To fail completely or perform poorly, especially in a public setting.

Example

The comedian laid an egg with his latest joke.
The team laid an egg in the championship game.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay an egg":

dropped egg poop out golden egg flake out fly the coop goose egg lay over drop the ball wind egg lay by lay about go belly-up crap out play chicken bad egg lay in egg case leave the nest lay open lay down lay into bomb out go to seed die on one's arse fried egg spit feathers lay on rotten egg