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Glite Dictionary
no-hit wonder

no-hit wonder

8.8
A person, group, or work that never becomes popular and has no hit
  • noun
  • /noʊ hɪt ˈwʌndər/
  • Literature
translation icon : un éxito efímero
  • That band is a real no-hit wonder.

Examples

  • After three failed singles, the band was dismissed as a no-hit wonder by critics.

  • Her book received little attention and she soon gained a reputation as a no-hit wonder.

  • It's hard to recover in show business once you've been labeled a no-hit wonder.

  • Many no-hit wonders still have loyal fans.

  • Despite his talent, the band became a no-hit wonder after releasing several unsuccessful albums.

  • She was labeled a no-hit wonder after failing to chart with her debut single.

  • Many artists who are considered no-hit wonders still have a loyal fan base, even without mainstream success.

Synonyms

never-was
vsno-hit wonder
  • Offensive
3 9.3

A person or thing that never succeeds and never becomes known

is mainly used for musicians or works lacking popular hits

Antonyms

hit
465 1.3

Something very popular and successful, like a song or show

success story
56 3.0

A story about a person or group who reaches a big goal and inspires others

How Popular

blockbuster
81 2.6
smash hit
9 3.4
new hit
7 2.7
hit
465 1.3
niche
107 5.5
no-hit wonder
  • Literature
8.8

Surface Forms

no-hit wonder singular
no-hit wonders plural

Morphology

no-hit + wonder

The components 'no' + 'hit' + 'wonder' give a partial clue: a learner who knows 'hit' in the music/success sense and 'no' can infer 'no hits', and 'wonder' signals notoriety, but the phrase relies on cultural/idiomatic knowledge (contrast with 'one-hit wonder', ironic use of 'wonder') and the evaluative/ironic nuance is not fully predictable from the parts alone. Therefore the meaning is partially derivable but requires prior exposure to the music-industry sense of 'hit' and the idiomatic use of 'wonder'.

Etymology

The term no-hit wonder comes from the music world. In music a hit is a very popular song and a wonder is something amazing, so the picture is of an artist who has 'no' hits—no popular songs—and that is why it means someone who failed to reach real 'success'.