Lay an Egg

Etymology:

• The phrase has British origin and came from the world of cricket. When any player failed to score a single run in the match, people used to say that he had laid a duck’s egg, because the number zero makes almost the same shape like an egg when it is written on the score board. Later in 19th century in America, the expression “laid an egg” was applied to Performers who gave terrible performances in Vaudeville shows in front of audience.