belly flop

noun, Northern and North Midland U.S.
1.
an awkward, usually unintentional dive in which the front of the body strikes the water horizontally, the abdomen or chest bearing the brunt of the impact.
2.
a maneuver with a sled in which the sledder runs with the sled to gain momentum and jumps forward to land on top of the sled as it moves through the snow.
Also, belly flopper.
Origin
1890-95

belly-flop

[bel-ee-flop] /ˈbɛl iˌflɒp/
verb (used without object), belly-flopped, belly-flopping. Northern and North Midland U.S.
1.
to do a belly flop, as in diving or sledding.
2.
to land or throw oneself heavily down on one's belly:
so tired he just belly-flopped on the bed.
Origin
1930-35
Examples from the web for belly flop
  • Instead, they do an ungainly belly flop, and then struggle to get to their feet and jump again.
  • It finally did the required belly flop onto the runway, skidded along the ice, and came to rest in the deep snow.
  • We've had a couple of disappointing stretch runs, but this is our first epic belly flop.
  • If you belly flop, you decelerate quickly, and the impact feels rougher.
British Dictionary definitions for belly flop

belly flop

noun
1.
a dive into water in which the body lands horizontally
2.
another name for belly landing
verb -flops, -flopping, -flopped
3.
(intransitive) to perform a belly flop
Slang definitions & phrases for belly flop

belly flop

noun phrase

A dive in which one strikes the water stomach first; belly-whopper (1930s+)