Lay an egg Meaning in English
expression
Definition
Literally, it means for a bird or reptile to produce an egg. Informally, 'lay an egg' means to fail badly, especially in front of others, such as during a performance or presentation.
Usage & Nuances
In formal English, 'lay an egg' refers to animals. As an idiom (mainly American English), it means to fail embarrassingly, often in entertainment or public speaking. Rare in British English. Don't confuse literal and figurative uses; context makes the meaning clear.
Example Sentences
Chickens lay an egg almost every day.
basic
The comedian laid an egg during his show last night.
basic
Sometimes, a play can lay an egg if the script is bad.
basic
He tried telling a joke but really laid an egg—no one laughed.
natural
My presentation totally laid an egg this morning—I forgot my points.
natural
The new movie really laid an egg at the box office—nobody went to see it.
natural