fail
fail — verb
1. to aim for a particular result but end up not reaching it, especially after tryi
to aim for a particular result but end up not reaching it, especially after trying hard.
Joaquín tried to build a bookshelf, but he failed and had to ask a friend for help.
intransitive: fail without an object
The team failed to win a single match during the whole season.
fail + to-infinitive for unsuccessful attempt
Amani failed in her attempt to break the school running record.
fail in + noun phrase
Many new restaurants fail within their first year of opening.
Samir's plan to start a community garden failed when the soil turned out to be too poor.
- fail to + verb
- fail in + noun
- fail at + noun
- try and fail
- fail completely
- fail badly
- not succeed
neutral, less direct alternative for any failure context
- fall short
slightly more formal; suggests you almost reached the goal but did not quite make it
- come up short
informal; used especially in sports or competitions
Grammar Patterns
fail + to-infinitive
fail + in + noun
fail at + noun
Usage Note
Often paired with 'to + infinitive' to specify what was attempted. The 'fail in + noun' pattern is less common but used for broader efforts.
Common Mistakes
2. a set phrase introducing a different approach that can be taken when every other
a set phrase introducing a different approach that can be taken when every other plan has not worked.
If all else fails, you can take the train instead of driving through the storm.
fixed phrase: if all else fails + suggestion
My grandfather always said, 'If all else fails, try a cup of warm tea and a good rest.'
If all else fails, we can ask the librarian to help us find that old book.
Anya told herself that if all else fails, she could always move back home and start again.
- if all else fails
- as a last resort
means the same but is not a complete sentence opener like 'if all else fails'
Grammar Patterns
if all else fails, ...
Usage Note
This is a fixed expression. The phrase always begins with 'If all else fails' followed by a comma and a suggestion. Do not change the wording to 'If everything else fails' or 'If all other things fail'.
Common Mistakes
3. to get a score below the required standard in a test, class, or course; or to gi
to get a score below the required standard in a test, class, or course; or to give a student such a score.
Linh studied very hard but still failed the history exam by two points.
transitive: fail + exam name
The teacher failed nearly half the class on the final math test.
transitive: teacher fails students (gives failing grade)
Takeshi failed his driving test because he forgot to check the mirrors.
If you fail a course, you can usually take it again the following semester.
Cyrus was terrified that he might fail the English proficiency test and lose his scholarship.
- fail an exam
- fail a test
- fail a course
- fail a class
- fail a subject
- fail the driving test
Grammar Patterns
fail + noun (exam/test/course)
fail (no object)
be failed by + noun
Usage Note
When the subject is a teacher or examiner, the verb is transitive and means 'to decide that a student has not reached the passing level'. When the subject is a student, it can be transitive ('fail + test') or intransitive ('I failed').
Common Mistakes
4. to not carry out an action that was required, expected, or promised.
to not carry out an action that was required, expected, or promised.
The company failed to inform customers about the price increase before it happened.
fail to-infinitive for neglected obligation
Reuben failed to return the library books before the due date and had to pay a fine.
The landlord failed to fix the broken heater even after several complaints from the tenants.
Yasmin failed to send the report to her manager on time, so the client received it late.
The hospital failed to check the patient's blood type before the operation.
- fail to act
- fail to appear
- fail to comply
- fail to deliver
- fail to respond
- fail to mention
Grammar Patterns
fail + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Only takes the 'to-infinitive' pattern — never 'fail + -ing' or 'fail + that-clause'. The action omitted is almost always something the subject had a responsibility to do, not a personal choice.
Common Mistakes
5. a polite or formal way of saying that you cannot accept a point of view or canno
a polite or formal way of saying that you cannot accept a point of view or cannot make sense of a situation.
I fail to see why the school rules need to change every single year.
formal: fail to see + why-clause
The judge said she failed to understand how the money had disappeared without any record.
The committee fails to understand why the project went so far over budget.
We fail to see how cutting the library budget will help the students in any way.
- fail to see
- fail to understand
- fail to comprehend
- cannot see
less formal; used in everyday speech to express confusion or disagreement
Grammar Patterns
fail + to + see/understand/comprehend + wh-clause
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'to see' or 'to understand', followed by a wh-clause (why, how, what). Found in formal writing, legal documents, and polite disagreement. Not used in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
6. to gradually lose strength and then stop operating as normal, referring to machi
to gradually lose strength and then stop operating as normal, referring to machines, body parts, or systems.
The old washing machine finally failed after fifteen years of constant use.
machine stops working
Felipe's eyesight began to fail when he was in his late sixties.
body function weakens: eyesight/hearing/memory fail
The car's brakes failed on the steep mountain road, but the driver managed to stop safely.
The heating system failed during the coldest week of winter, and the pipes froze.
Lukas's memory started to fail after the accident, and he often forgot familiar faces.
- engine fails
- brakes fail
- eyesight fails
- health fails
- memory fails
- system fails
- power fails
- break down
used for machines and vehicles; suggests a sudden stop rather than gradual weakening
- give out
informal; used for both machines and body parts (e.g., 'his knees gave out')
- collapse
more dramatic; used for systems, structures, or health
Grammar Patterns
fail (no object)
Usage Note
Used for machines, equipment, body functions (eyesight, hearing, memory, health), and natural or mechanical systems. Not used for temporary problems — if something can be easily restarted, use 'break down' or 'stop working' instead.
Common Mistakes
7. to close permanently because there is not enough money to pay debts and keep ope
to close permanently because there is not enough money to pay debts and keep operating.
The bakery failed after only six months when a bigger store opened across the street.
business fails: permanent closure
Many small shops failed when the large supermarket opened nearby and lowered all prices.
The construction company failed because it took on too many projects at once and ran out of money.
Valentina's flower shop failed when the landlord doubled the rent and customers stopped coming.
- business fails
- company fails
- bank fails
- restaurant fails
- shop fails
- go bankrupt
specific legal process of being declared unable to pay debts
- go under
informal; suggests sinking financially
- fold
informal; to close a business, often because of financial difficulty
Grammar Patterns
fail (no object)
fail (of a business)
Usage Note
Used specifically for businesses, banks, and other commercial organizations. A business that fails usually goes through a legal process such as bankruptcy. Does NOT apply to non-commercial organizations like schools or charities — use 'close' or 'shut down' for those.
Common Mistakes
8. to break a promise of support by not being there for someone who was depending o
to break a promise of support by not being there for someone who was depending on you.
Paul felt that his parents had failed him when they missed his graduation ceremony.
transitive: fail + person (disappoint)
The government failed the citizens by not providing clean drinking water after the flood.
Élise promised to help with the move but failed her brother when he needed her most.
The school failed its students by not repairing the leaking roof for over a year.
- fail someone
- fail a friend
- fail the team
- fail the family
- fail a colleague
- let down
informal; very common in everyday speech; milder than 'fail'
- disappoint
broader; covers any kind of unfulfilled expectation, not just broken support
Grammar Patterns
fail + person
fail + person + in + noun
Usage Note
The person or group being let down is always the direct object. A 'by + gerund' or 'in + noun' phrase often follows to specify how the failure happened. This sense carries a strong emotional weight — it is not used for small disappointments.
Common Mistakes
if all else fails
idiomYou can use this to say what someone should do when every other attempt has not worked.
If all else fails, Maya will take the train instead of driving.
If all else fails, can we just ask Brian for help?
too big to fail
idiomDescribes a company that is so important to the economy that the government will rescue it if it gets into financial trouble.
The government decided to bail out the bank because it was too big to fail.
Many people argue that no company should be considered too big to fail.
fail — noun
1. a mark or grade that shows you did not reach the required standard in a test or
a mark or grade that shows you did not reach the required standard in a test or course.
Mei received a fail in her chemistry class and had to take the course again.
get/receive a fail
The student was deeply upset about getting a fail on the final paper.
Yuki's transcript showed three passes and one fail for the fall semester.
A fail in any required subject means you cannot graduate on time.
- get a fail
- receive a fail
- a fail in
- three fails
- failing grade
more formal and explicit than 'fail'
- F
the letter grade used in many grading systems for a fail
- pass
a mark that reaches the required standard
- passing grade
a satisfactory grade
Grammar Patterns
get a fail
receive a fail
a fail in + subject
Usage Note
A countable noun — you can have 'a fail', 'two fails', etc. Common in academic contexts alongside 'pass' and 'distinction'. In American English, 'failing grade' is more common than 'a fail'.
Common Mistakes
2. something that is done so badly or planned so poorly that it does not achieve it
something that is done so badly or planned so poorly that it does not achieve its purpose.
The product launch was a complete fail — nobody bought the new smartphone.
be a (complete/total) fail
The party was a fail from the start because nobody had clear instructions about what to bring.
Critics called the movie a fail despite the famous actors and the big budget.
Omar's first attempt at baking a cake was a total fail — it came out flat and hard as a rock.
- a complete fail
- a total fail
- an epic fail
- a fail
Grammar Patterns
be a fail
end in fail
Usage Note
Informal — used in casual conversation and online reviews. In formal writing, 'failure' is preferred. Often preceded by 'complete', 'total', or 'epic' for emphasis.
Common Mistakes
3. a fixed phrase meaning every single time without exception, said of a repeated a
a fixed phrase meaning every single time without exception, said of a repeated action or habit.
Sahil calls his mother every Sunday evening without fail, no matter how busy he is.
without fail: every time without exception
Mayumi exercises for thirty minutes each morning without fail, even on holidays.
The postman arrives at exactly nine o'clock without fail every weekday.
The Watanabe family waters their garden every evening without fail during summer.
- without fail
- every single time
more conversational; less compact than 'without fail'
- always
simpler but weaker; does not carry the same emphasis on reliability
Grammar Patterns
without fail
Usage Note
Used as an adverb phrase at the end of a sentence, modifying the verb. It emphasizes reliability and consistency. Cannot be split — do not put words between 'without' and 'fail'.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'Without fail, she arrives late.' (correct but) — This works grammatically but is less natural than placing 'without fail' at the end of the sentence.
4. a forceful way of telling someone that doing something is absolutely necessary a
a forceful way of telling someone that doing something is absolutely necessary and cannot be avoided.
Do not fail to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle — the law is very strict about it.
do not fail to + verb: emphatic obligation
Do not fail to hand in this form by Friday, or your application will be rejected completely.
Do not fail to switch off your phone before takeoff — the flight crew will check.
Do not fail to lock the lab door before you leave; safety rules allow no exception.
- do not fail to
- don't fail to
- no exceptions
similar emphasis but placed differently in the sentence
- period
American English slang used at the end of a statement for emphasis ('You must do it, period.')
Grammar Patterns
do not fail to + verb
Usage Note
Used in the 'do not fail to [verb]' pattern to give a very strong command or instruction. It is more urgent and emphatic than a simple 'must' or 'have to'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Fail is the most common and neutral word for not achieving a goal, covering everything from a failed business to a failed attempt at baking a cake. Flunk is an informal word used almost exclusively for tests, courses, and academic performance — you can flunk a chemistry exam, but you would not flunk at making friends. Bomb is informal American English and means to fail badly or dramatically, often in a performance context: a comedian bombs on stage, or a student bombs a final exam. Not succeed is a softer, more roundabout way to express failure, often used when the speaker wants to sound less harsh: 'The plan did not succeed' sounds gentler than 'The plan failed.' Choose fail for direct, neutral statements; flunk for informal academic contexts; bomb for dramatic failures in performance or exams; and not succeed when you want to soften the blow.
Common collocations
Etymology
Fail comes from the Latin verb fallere, meaning 'to deceive, to disappoint, or to be insufficient.' It passed through Old French (faillir) before entering Middle English around the 1200s. The original idea of 'deceiving' faded over time, and the word shifted toward its modern meaning of 'not meeting expectations or standards.' The noun form meaning 'a grade below passing' appeared in the late 1800s alongside formal schooling systems.