Flop v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flopped p. pr. & vb. n. Flopping.]
  1. To clap or strike, as a bird its wings, a fish its tail, etc.; to flap.
  2. To turn suddenly, as something broad and flat. [Colloq.]
  flop
       n 1: an arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers;
            "this computer can perform a million flops per second"
            [syn: floating-point operation]
       2: someone who is unsuccessful [syn: dud, washout]
       3: a complete failure; "the play was a dismal flop" [syn: bust]
       4: the act of throwing yourself down; "he landed on the bed
          with a great flop" [syn: collapse]
       adv 1: with a flopping sound; "he tumbled flop into the mud"
       2: exactly; "he fell flop on his face" [syn: right]
       v 1: fall loosely; "He flopped into a chair"
       2: fall suddenly and abruptly
       3: fail utterly; collapse; "The project foundered" [syn: fall
          through, fall flat, founder]
       [also: flopping, flopped]