Question

to go down like a lead balloon - The company directors' idea went down like a lead balloon. The employees suspected it was a ploy to get them to work longer.  - The government's plan to ban smoking in public places went down like a lead balloon with the bar and nightclub owners.  - The decision by Ferrari to order Barrichello to give Michael the win went down like a lead balloon. The crowd reacted angrily and booed the German.  - Sometimes I’ll play a song that I think merits revival, and it goes down like a lead balloon, so I’ll drop it hastily.

Accepted Answer

to be unpopular and unsuccessful In this expression lead is the heavy metal, pronounced as in the color red.

Idiom	to go down like a lead balloon
Definition	to be unpopular and unsuccessful
Examples	- The company directors' idea went down like a lead balloon. The employees suspected it was a ploy to get them to work longer. - The government's plan to ban smoking in public places went down like a lead balloon with the bar and nightclub owners. - The decision by Ferrari to order Barrichello to give Michael the win went down like a lead balloon. The crowd reacted angrily and booed the German. - Sometimes I’ll play a song that I think merits revival, and it goes down like a lead balloon, so I’ll drop it hastily.
Note	In this expression lead is the heavy metal, pronounced as in the color red.

Lead Balloon I’ll Unpopular Unsuccessful Company Directors Idea