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Lay an Egg

What Does "Lay an Egg" Mean?

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"Lay an egg" is an English idiom. It means "to fail, especially in a public or noticeable manner."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "lay an egg" used in a sentence:
  • The comedian laid an egg at the show last night.
  • The team laid an egg in the final match.
  • I felt like I laid an egg when my presentation went wrong.
meaning for lay an egg

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Lay an Egg" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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