fail
To be unsuccessful
To not do something you tried to do.
to fail to [do something]
- She failed to meet the project deadline.
- The team failed to score in the final minutes.
- I tried to fix the computer but failed.
- He failed in his attempt to climb the mountain.
- The company failed to impress investors.
- I failed to finish my homework.
- He failed to open the door.
- They failed to win the game.
- We failed to catch the bus.
- She failed to find her phone.
To not pass an exam
To not get a passing mark in a test or class.
to fail [a test/course]
- I failed my driving test twice before passing.
- She failed chemistry last semester.
- He failed the math exam by just two points.
- I failed my English test.
- She failed the history exam.
- He failed the science class.
To break down or stop working
When something like a machine stops working.
[something] fails
- The brakes on the car failed suddenly.
- The heating system failed during the night.
- The experiment failed because the equipment stopped working.
- The light failed during the storm.
- The engine failed on the road.
- The computer failed yesterday.
To not provide what is needed
To not give enough help or support when needed.
to fail [someone/something]
- His courage never failed him during the crisis.
- The government has failed its citizens on healthcare.
- I promised never to fail you.
- I will not fail you.
- The teacher failed her students.
- He failed his friend in trouble.
Complete failure or disaster
A big mistake or something that goes very badly.
- That spelling mistake on the sign is a total fail.
- Forgetting my passport was an epic fail.
- The ad campaign turned out to be a huge fail.
- It was a big fail.
- That game was a fail.
- Her plan was a fail.
- Base: fail
- Plural: fail
- Base: fail
- 3rd Person Singular: fails
- Present Participle: failing
- Past: failed
fail miserably
1Completely and obviously fail at something
To be very unsuccessful at something.
- He tried to fix it himself but failed miserably.
- They failed miserably at keeping it a secret.
fail to see (how/why)
1Not understand why something is so
To not understand why something is true or needed.
- I fail to see how this plan will work.
- She fails to see why we need more staff.
epic fail
1Very big and obvious failure
A very big and embarrassing mistake or failure.
- Spilling coffee on my boss was an epic fail.
- The presentation was an epic fail from start to finish.
epic fail
2very big and obvious failure
A complete and very obvious failure, often in a way that looks silly or embarrassing.
- 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
3Very big embarrassing mistake or defeat
A very big and embarrassing mistake or lack of success.
- Forgetting my lines on stage was an epic fail.
- That presentation was an epic fail.
without fail
1Always happens without exception
Always happens, every time, without exceptions.
- He calls his mother every Sunday without fail.
- The train arrives at 8:30 without fail.
without fail
2Happens every single time
Always happens; no exceptions.
- She calls me every Sunday without fail.
- The bus arrives at 8:00 without fail.
without fail
3always; every single time
Always happens or is done, no matter what.
- She calls me every Sunday without fail.
- The bus arrives at 8 a.m. without fail.