fail
gb/fˈeɪl/ us/fˈeɪl/
A2
English
~ 700
nem sikerül, megbukik, elromlik, meghibásodik, cserbenhagy, elégtelennek bizonyul, óriási baki, epic fail, nagy bukás
VERB
A2
1
nem sikerül
A2
Usage pattern:
to fail to [do something]
She failed to meet the project deadline.
Nem sikerült betartania a projekt határidejét.
The team failed to score in the final minutes.
A csapatnak nem sikerült gólt szereznie az utolsó percekben.
I tried to fix the computer but failed.
He failed in his attempt to climb the mountain.
The company failed to impress investors.
Learner examples
I failed to finish my homework.
Nem sikerült befejeznem a házi feladatomat.
He failed to open the door.
Nem sikerült kinyitnia az ajtót.
They failed to win the game.
We failed to catch the bus.
She failed to find her phone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fail doing something' with 'fail to do something'. The correct form is usually 'fail to do something'.
Meaning
To be unsuccessful
Collocations
fail miserably
|fail completely
|fail to deliver
|fail the test
|fail in business
Synonyms
be unsuccessful (A more neutral and descriptive phrase without strong connotation.)
Antonyms
succeed (Indicates achieving the desired result, opposite of failing.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not do something you tried to do.
To be unsuccessful in achieving a desired result or completing a task.
VERB
A2
2
megbukik
B1
Usage pattern:
to fail [a test/course]
I failed my driving test twice before passing.
Kétszer megbuktam a vezetői vizsgán, mire végül átmentem.
She failed chemistry last semester.
Az előző félévben megbukott kémiából.
He failed the math exam by just two points.
Learner examples
I failed my English test.
Megbuktam az angolteszten.
She failed the history exam.
Megbukott a történelemvizsgán.
He failed the science class.
Common mistake:
Learners may say 'I got fail' instead of 'I failed'. 'Fail' is a verb and should be used correctly in past tense when needed.
Meaning
To not pass an exam
Collocations
fail an exam
|fail a course
|fail a subject
Synonyms
flunk (Informal; common in American English for failing a test or course.)
Antonyms
pass (Indicates achieving the required standard in a test or course.)
Themes
education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not get a passing mark in a test or class.
To be unsuccessful in meeting the required standard in a test, examination, or course.
VERB
B1
3
elromlik
A2
meghibásodik
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] fails
The brakes on the car failed suddenly.
Az autó fékjei hirtelen meghibásodtak.
The heating system failed during the night.
Éjszaka elromlott a fűtési rendszer.
The experiment failed because the equipment stopped working.
Learner examples
The light failed during the storm.
A vihar alatt elment a világítás.
The engine failed on the road.
Útközben leállt a motor.
The computer failed yesterday.
Meaning
To break down or stop working
Collocations
brake failure
|system fails
|engine fails
Synonyms
malfunction (More technical term for something not working properly.)
Antonyms
work (Means functioning as intended, opposite of fail here.)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When something like a machine stops working.
(Of a machine, system, or part) to stop functioning as intended.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to fail [someone/something]
His courage never failed him during the crisis.
A válság alatt a bátorsága soha nem hagyta cserben.
The government has failed its citizens on healthcare.
A kormány cserbenhagyta az állampolgárait az egészségügy terén.
I promised never to fail you.
Learner examples
I will not fail you.
Nem hagylak cserben.
The teacher failed her students.
A tanár cserbenhagyta a diákjait.
He failed his friend in trouble.
Meaning
To not provide what is needed
Collocations
fail someone badly
|fail to support
Synonyms
let down (Informal, focuses on disappointing someone by not supporting them.)
Antonyms
support (Means giving help or assistance, opposite of failing in this sense.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not give enough help or support when needed.
To be unable to provide the necessary support, help, or quality required.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
5
That spelling mistake on the sign is a total fail.
Az a helyesírási hiba a táblán óriási baki.
Forgetting my passport was an epic fail.
Óriási baki volt, hogy otthon hagytam az útlevelemet.
The ad campaign turned out to be a huge fail.
Learner examples
It was a big fail.
Nagy bukás volt.
That game was a fail.
Az a játék nagy bukás volt.
Her plan was a fail.
Meaning
Complete failure or disaster
Collocations
epic fail
|massive fail
Synonyms
disaster (A serious failure, though 'disaster' can be more severe than 'fail' in slang use.)
Antonyms
win (Slang antonym meaning a big success.)
Themes
internet culture
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big mistake or something that goes very badly.
An act or instance of failing, often used humorously online to describe something that went wrong in an obvious way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fail
IPA
GB/fˈeɪl/
US/fˈeɪl/
Syllables & stress
fail (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fail)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fail
- Plural: fail
Verb
- Base: fail
- 3rd Person Singular: fails
- Present Participle: failing
- Past: failed
Word family
Forms
fails
verb
failing
verb
failed
verb
Core family
failure
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unfailing
adjective
Advanced or less common
unfailingly
adverb
Expressions
fail miserably
1/fˈeɪl mˈɪzɚəbli/
fixed phrase
Completely and obviously fail at something
To be very unsuccessful at something.
Examples
- He tried to fix it himself but failed miserably.
- They failed miserably at keeping it a secret.
fail to see (how/why)
1/fˈeɪl tə sˈi hˈaʊwi/
fixed phrase
Not understand why something is so
To not understand why something is true or needed.
Examples
- I fail to see how this plan will work.
- She fails to see why we need more staff.
epic fail
1/ˈɛpɪk fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
informal
Very big and obvious failure
A very big and embarrassing mistake or failure.
Examples
- Spilling coffee on my boss was an epic fail.
- The presentation was an epic fail from start to finish.
epic fail
2/ˈɛpɪk fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
slang
very big and obvious failure
A complete and very obvious failure, often in a way that looks silly or embarrassing.
Examples
- My attempt to bake a cake was an epic fail when it collapsed in the oven.
- The app launch was an epic fail, crashing for almost every user on the first day.
- He called the speech an epic fail after forgetting half of his notes.
epic fail
3/ˈɛpɪk fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
informal
Very big embarrassing mistake or defeat
A very big and embarrassing mistake or lack of success.
Examples
- Forgetting my lines on stage was an epic fail.
- That presentation was an epic fail.
without fail
1/wɪðˈaʊt fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
Always happens without exception
Always happens, every time, without exceptions.
Examples
- He calls his mother every Sunday without fail.
- The train arrives at 8:30 without fail.
without fail
2/wɪðˈaʊt fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
Happens every single time
Always happens; no exceptions.
Examples
- She calls me every Sunday without fail.
- The bus arrives at 8:00 without fail.
without fail
3/wɪðˈaʊt fˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
always; every single time
Always happens or is done, no matter what.
Examples
- She calls me every Sunday without fail.
- The bus arrives at 8 a.m. without fail.