Dictionary monolingual
English
Fail
feɪl
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Fail -
To be unsuccessful in achieving a goal or passing a test
Example: She failed the exam because she didn't study enough.
Usage: formalContext: academic or professional settings
Note: Commonly used in educational and work environments to indicate lack of success in meeting a standard or requirement.
To neglect or forget to do something
Example: I failed to call my friend on her birthday.
Usage: formalContext: professional or personal commitments
Note: This usage implies a lack of fulfilling a responsibility or obligation.
To disappoint or let someone down
Example: He failed his parents by dropping out of college.
Usage: informalContext: personal relationships
Note: Often used in emotional contexts to express a sense of betrayal or disappointment.
To break down or stop working properly
Example: The brakes failed on the car, causing an accident.
Usage: formalContext: technical or mechanical situations
Note: Applied to objects or systems that cease to function as intended.
Fail's synonyms
fall short
To not reach a particular standard or goal.
Example: She fell short of passing the exam by just a few points.
Note: This phrase emphasizes not meeting a specific target or expectation.
flunk
To fail an exam or course.
Example: He flunked the math test because he didn't study enough.
Note: This term is commonly used in educational contexts to indicate failing a specific academic assessment.
flop
To be completely unsuccessful or a failure.
Example: The new product launch was a flop, as it didn't attract many customers.
Note: This term is often used in the context of businesses, products, or events that do not succeed as expected.
fall through
To fail to materialize or be completed as planned.
Example: Their plans to travel together fell through due to unexpected circumstances.
Note: This phrase is used when something that was intended to happen does not end up happening.
Fail expressions, common phrases
Fail miserably
To fail in a very bad or complete way.
Example: He failed miserably at the attempt to fix the car engine.
Note: The addition of 'miserably' intensifies the level of failure.
Epic fail
A failure that is particularly grand or monumental.
Example: The product launch was an epic fail due to poor marketing strategies.
Note: Using 'epic' emphasizes the magnitude of the failure.
Fail to see the forest for the trees
To be so involved in the small details that the overall situation or context is missed.
Example: She was so focused on the details that she failed to see the bigger picture.
Note: This idiom highlights a failure in perspective or understanding.
Fail to live up to expectations
Not meeting or fulfilling the expectations that were set.
Example: The movie failed to live up to the high expectations set by the trailer.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the discrepancy between what was expected and what actually occurred.
Fail-safe
A measure taken to prevent complete failure or to minimize the effects of failure.
Example: The fail-safe system ensured that the data was backed up regularly.
Note: Unlike 'fail', 'fail-safe' indicates a backup plan or precaution to avoid failure.
Fail forward
To view failure as a stepping stone to success by learning from it and progressing.
Example: It’s okay to fail forward as long as you learn from your mistakes and keep moving.
Note: This phrase promotes a positive outlook on failure as a means of growth and progress.
Fail at the final hurdle
To fail at the last or most crucial stage of a process or task.
Example: He had trained hard for the race but failed at the final hurdle.
Note: This phrase highlights failing at the critical moment, often after putting in effort up to that point.
Fail everyday (slang) expressions
Bite the dust
This slang term refers to failing or being defeated.
Example: He thought he could pass the exam, but ended up biting the dust.
Note: It adds a more dramatic or emphatic tone compared to just saying 'fail.'
Fall flat
When something fails to produce the intended effect or impress others.
Example: The comedian's joke fell flat with the audience.
Note: It implies a lack of success or impact beyond just not succeeding.
Go down in flames
To fail spectacularly or disastrously.
Example: Their new product launch went down in flames due to poor marketing.
Note: It conveys a sense of crashing and burning in a dramatic way.
Tank
To fail badly or utterly underperform.
Example: The team tanked in the championship game and lost by a huge margin.
Note: It suggests a significant failure, often in a competitive context.
Crash and burn
To fail completely or suffer a catastrophic failure.
Example: Their startup crashed and burned after only a few months.
Note: It vividly describes a situation where failure is swift and total.
Fail - Examples
The project was a fail.
She failed the exam.
The company's new product launch was a complete fail.
Fail grammar
Fail - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: fail
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): fail
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): fail
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): failed
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): failing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): fails
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): fail
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): fail
Syllables, Separation and Stress
fail Contains 1 syllables: fail
Phonetic transcription: ˈfāl
fail , ˈfāl (The red syllable is stressed)
Fail - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
fail: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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