Meaning of "to lay an egg"

[Zemfira]

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #22 "Egg expressions", question 6

She wasn't really successful in her first stage play. In fact you could say she laid an egg.

(a) she made a good impression
(b) she forgot her lines
(c) she fell over on stage
(d) she gave an embarrassing performance

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #22 "Egg expressions", answer 6

She wasn't really successful in her first stage play. In fact you could say she she gave an embarrassing performance.

Correct answer: (d) she gave an embarrassing performance
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What does "To lay an egg" means?

Zemfira

[Pamela]

To lay an egg, i.e. to fail, especially in a public performance. As you see, the substitute in the test sentence is to give an embarrassing performance.

[Ron1970]

'Lay an egg' can also mean to fail or be unsuccessful.

IIRC, the origin came from the number zero because it's shaped like an egg, hence the term.

HTH.

[Prezbucky]

Wouldn't answers B and C also suffice, inasmuch as to suffer either B or C would be embarrassing?
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Prezbucky]

But yes, that's what "to lay an egg" means.

Imagine if Arsenal were beaten 5-0 by Millwall.

Would Gunners fans admit that Millwall is a better team? No, because that's preposterous.

They may say something like, "Man, the Gunners surely laid an egg today!"

...with a few expletives added.

(I don't mean to pick on Arsenal. Insert any big soccer team in their place and it would likely be the same.)
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.