succeedsuc‧ceed /səkˈsiːd/ ●●● S3 W2 verb 
She wanted to be the first woman to climb Mount Everest, and she almost succeeded.succeed in doing something Scientists claim they have succeeded in finding a cure for cancer. Very few people succeed in losing weight and keeping it off.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say they manage to do something rather than succeed in doing something:· Eventually I managed to get the lid back on the box.GRAMMAR• You succeed in doing something: · She succeeded in persuading him. ✗Don’t say: She succeeded to persuade him.• You can also use succeed on its own: · I hope you succeed.• Succeed is not used transitively in this meaning. ✗Don’t say: I hope you succeed it.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS2[intransitive] to have the result or effect something was intended to have: Unfortunately his plan did not succeed.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say that a method or treatment works rather than succeeds:· We tried rebooting the computer, but that didn’t work.3[intransitive] to do well in your job, especially because you have worked hard at it for a long timesucceed as I’m not sure he has the determination to succeed as an actor.succeed in a woman who succeeded in politics4[intransitive, transitive] to be the next person to take a position or job after someone elsesucceed somebody as something Reeves will succeed Segal as Speaker of the House.succeed somebody to the throne (=to be the next king or queen after someone else) Who will succeed him to the throne?5[transitive] to come after or replace something else, especially another product: This car is intended to succeed the popular Fiesta.6nothing succeeds like success used to say that success often leads to even greater success7only succeed in doing something used when someone does the opposite of what they intended to do: It seems I’ve only succeeded in upsetting you.THESAURUSsucceed in doing somethingsucceed verb [intransitive] to do something you tried or wanted to do: · Will they succeed in winning the election?· He wanted to make her jealous, and he succeeded.manage verb [intransitive] to succeed in doing something difficult, after trying hard. Manage to do something is very commonly used instead of succeed in doing something in everyday English: · He finally managed to find an apartment near his office.· Don’t worry – I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.achieve verb [transitive] to succeed in doing something good or important: · She’s achieved a lot in the short time she’s been with the company.· If we are to achieve our goals, we have to plan properly.accomplish verb [transitive] formal to achieve something: · The government accomplished its objective of reducing violent crime.· What do you hope to accomplish this year?make it to be successful in your career, or to succeed in reaching a place or part of a competition: · Only a few people make it to the top and become professional singers.· We finally made it to Chicago.· Which two teams will make it to the final?pull off phrasal verb to succeed in doing something, especially when you could easily have not succeeded. Pull off sounds rather informal: · Italy pulled off a great victory over Germany.· I’d never performed on my own before, and wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.
WORD ORIGINsucceed
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin succedere ‘to go up, follow after, succeed’, from sub- ‘near’ + cedere ‘to go’VERB TABLE
succeed
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | succeed |
| he, she, it | succeeds | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | succeeded |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have succeeded |
| he, she, it | has succeeded | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had succeeded |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will succeed |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have succeeded |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am succeeding |
| he, she, it | is succeeding | |
| you, we, they | are succeeding | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was succeeding |
| you, we, they | were succeeding | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been succeeding |
| he, she, it | has been succeeding | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been succeeding |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be succeeding |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been succeeding |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A lot of people doubted that I could succeed in business for myself.
- a strong desire to succeed
- As long as the financial crisis continues, economic reform cannot possibly succeed.
- Bailey will succeed Fuller as Director of Operations.
- Both sides could make these talks succeed by seeking a real and lasting peace.
- By the early '90s, CDs had succeeded records in popularity.
- Eisenhower was succeeded by John F. Kennedy.
- Even in remote areas people open restaurants, and surprisingly enough, they succeed.
- George VI died in 1952, leaving his elder daughter Elizabeth to succeed him.
- I'm sure you'll succeed if you work hard.
- I admired Goldie, because she had succeeded at a task that had even defeated my mother.
- I tried to reassure Billy's mother that it was a passing phase, but I don't think I succeeded.
- If you don't change your attitude, you will never succeed as a manager in this firm.
- In one year, we've succeeded in increasing profits by 40%.
- Louis XIII succeeded to the throne when he was only nine years old.
- Muir succeeds where other designers have failed -- her clothes are original, yet stylish.
- My parents always told me I'd succeed at anything I chose to do.
- None of the measures taken by the government have succeeded in reducing the spread of violent crime.
- People who have had setbacks are often the ones who are really driven to succeed.
- She wanted to be the first woman to climb Mount Everest and she almost succeeded.
- Choose varieties which will succeed in your area, and which are on a rootstock to give the desired rate of growth.
- If it succeeds, it may deter at least some outrages in a future war.
- If the project succeeds, the choice is between making and marketing the product or abandoning it.
- If you can succeed in school, you can succeed in life.
- Mr Grant, who lives near Dingwall, will succeed Robert Crawford.
- She succeeds Bonnie Fuller who will join Cosmopolitan as deputy editor.
- Some of these women took grave risks to start their businesses and faced even more danger when they succeeded.
THESAURUSsucceed in doing something
verb [intransitive] to do something you tried or wanted to do: · Will they succeed in winning the election?· He wanted to make her jealous, and he succeeded.
verb [intransitive] to succeed in doing something difficult, after trying hard. Manage to do something is very commonly used instead of succeed in doing something in everyday English: · He finally managed to find an apartment near his office.· Don’t worry – I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.
verb [transitive] to succeed in doing something good or important: · She’s achieved a lot in the short time she’s been with the company.· If we are to achieve our goals, we have to plan properly.
verb [transitive] formal to achieve something: · The government accomplished its objective of reducing violent crime.· What do you hope to accomplish this year?
to be successful in your career, or to succeed in reaching a place or part of a competition: · Only a few people make it to the top and become professional singers.· We finally made it to Chicago.· Which two teams will make it to the final?
phrasal verb to succeed in doing something, especially when you could easily have not succeeded. Pull off sounds rather informal: · Italy pulled off a great victory over Germany.· I’d never performed on my own before, and wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.
Longman Language Activatorto succeed in doing something to do something that you hoped to do, tried to do, or wanted to do: · She wanted to be the first woman to climb Mount Everest and she almost succeeded.· I tried to reassure Billy's mother that it was a passing phase, but I don't think I succeeded.· Muir succeeds where other designers have failed -- her clothes are original, yet stylish.succeed in doing something: · In one year, we've succeeded in increasing profits by 40%.succeed at: · I admired Goldie, because she had succeeded at a task that had even defeated my mother.
to succeed in doing something difficult after trying very hard, especially when you almost do not succeed: · Martin still hasn't got his invalidity pension sorted out, but he's managing all right at the moment.· If you hadn't have been here, I don't think I would have managed.· I don't know how he managed it, but the crisis is over.· Can you manage that door Mike? It looks awfully heavy.manage to do something: · He finally managed to find an apartment near his office.· At least three hostages managed to escape.manage with/without something: · Well, I suppose we could just about manage without electricity for the night.
to succeed in doing something, especially something that needs a lot of work or effort such as passing a test or getting a job: · Does Joey have a realistic chance of being successful at the audition?be successful in doing something: · If I'm successful in raising over £500, those funds will go to the Bible School.
to be fairly successful in doing something, or to achieve part of what you wanted to achieve: · Our aim was to disrupt the enemy's transport network and we had some success.· If we only have some success in reducing the number infected with HIV, I feel it will have been worthwhile.have some success/have limited success in doing something: · The Santa Barbara seismic research team has had some success in predicting earthquakes.
to gradually start to achieve something that you want to achieve, by working hard: · I'm not very good at Japanese yet, but I feel I am making progress.· We have made very great progress in reducing the number of deaths on our roads.make progress with/towards/on: · At last I began to make some progress with my research.make progress in doing something: · BEA has made good progress in implementing the new health and safety regulations.
to succeed in doing something important, especially something that other people will admire you for: · She's achieved a lot in the short time she's been with the company.· The reason I achieve good results is because I work hard -- and so could you.· When you get your MA, you really feel that you've achieved something.· He had achieved all his goals for the organization, and felt there were no challenges left there for him.
to succeed in doing or finishing something good that you have planned to do, after trying hard for a long time: · What exactly do you hope to accomplish this year?· She found the job frustrating, and felt she wasn't accomplishing anything there.
if you get results , you achieve what you are trying to do: · It was three or four years before we really started getting results.· This shows that if we devote sufficient energy and resources to a problem, we get results.· As I manager, I pride myself on getting results.
to succeed in doing something difficult especially spoken to succeed in doing something that is difficult or that seems impossible: · Gina has her driving test today. I hope she makes it.· He went out for it, he played hard, and he made it. · Jody thinks only three teams will make it to the final. · Did Margaret make it home the other night? · Will he make it out alive?
especially spoken to succeed in doing something, especially after a lot of effort over a long period of time: · I aim to have my own company by the time I'm thirty, but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get there.· Anna found the coursework hard, but knew she'd get there in the end.· I knew we'd get there eventually, it was just a question of when.
especially spoken to succeed in doing something, especially something difficult or something that needs a lot of effort: · We did it! We won the cup!· You did it! Congratulations!
to manage to do something difficult, when other people did not think that you could succeed: pull/bring/carry off something: · In the opening game, Italy pulled off a sensational 1-0 victory over Germany.· I think you need a really good sense of humour to carry off something like this.· We had a hard time bringing off the last conference we held here.pull/bring/carry something off: · I'd hardly cooked a proper meal for years, and I was wondering if I could still pull it off.· I doubt if we could have carried it off without your help.
informal if someone comes or turns up trumps , they succeed in doing something difficult or providing something that is needed, especially when this makes you feel pleased or grateful: · We were getting into serious difficulties, but Ron came up trumps again.· Well, I got three people interested in helping, so if they all turn up trumps, we should reach our target.
when something has the result that you want it to have if something that you plan to do or try to do succeeds , you get the result that you hoped for: · Both sides could make these talks succeed by seeking a real and lasting peace.· As long as the financial crisis continues, economic reform cannot possibly succeed.succeed in doing something: · None of the measures taken by the government have succeeded in reducing the spread of violent crime.
if something that you plan to do or try to do is successful you get the result that you hoped for: · If the treatment is successful, she could be back at school next month.· a small but successful program to boost the number of African-Americans getting into collegehighly successful (=very successful): · It was a highly successful campaign.the most successful: · This has been Baltimore's most successful art show ever.so successful (. . . that): · The case of Thailand illustrates why family planning programs have been so successful in many countries. prove successful (=be successful): · The scheme was started in January 2000, and has proved largely successful.
if a plan or method works , it produces the result that you want: · "I can't open this jar." "Try putting it under hot water. That sometimes works."· I think your treatment worked Arnie, my headache's gone.· The recipe works just as well if you cook the fish in a microwave.
if something goes well , such as a meeting, party, or performance, everything happens in the way you wanted and there are no problems: · Ray met my parents for the first time this weekend, and it went really well.· The audition was OK, but it could have gone better I suppose.· Most people seem to think the party went well.go well for: · Good luck with the project, and I hope everything goes well for you.
if a plan, method etc has some success , it is fairly successful: · The early warning system has had some success; for example Pacific coast residents get four hours notice of a potential earthquake.· Only in the late 1990s did efforts to reduce sectarian violence have some success.
if something comes out right or turns out right , it succeeds in the end when it had seemed as though it would fail: · People enjoy romantic fiction because it offers a reassurance that things will always come out right.· Just when it looks as though everything will turn out right, tragedy strikes and Jenny dies of a fatal illness.come out right in the end: · She's scared she'll fail her exams, but I think everything'll come out right in the end.
if something that you arrange such as a party or trip comes off , it happens successfully even though there are problems in arranging it: · We had hoped to organize a trip to the theatre tonight, but it didn't come off.· Good try Tim. Shame it didn't quite come off.
if hard work, effort, a risk etc pays off , it has a successful result at a later time: · I think if you show a bit more consideration for other road users, you'll find it pays off.· We put a lot of hard work into local initiatives, and that's really starting to pay off now.
if a plan, idea, or action bears fruit , it has the successful result that it was intended to have, especially after a long period of time: · The campaign for debt relief will not bear fruit for another two or three years. · I hope you feel your involvement has been worthwhile and has borne fruit.
a meeting, discussion etc that is fruitful is successful, useful, and produces good results: · So far, the investigation has not been very fruitful.· This was one of the most fruitful debates of the conference.· If the talks prove fruitful, the working groups will start bargaining in May.
when something happens without any problems at all if something you have arranged such as an event or journey goes like clockwork , it happens in exactly the way that was planned, with no problems at all: · After all that fuss, everything went like clockwork. You should have seen it.· 'Everything go all right?' 'Like clockwork.'· All through that summer, work on the farm went like clockwork.
if a planned event, journey, piece of work etc goes smoothly , there are no problems to spoil it: · If all goes smoothly, elections are expected in May.· In rehearsal, everything went smoothly, even the difficult fight scenes.· My presentation went remarkably smoothly, until one student asked an awkward question right at the end.
if a planned action or event happens without a hitch , it happens exactly as planned with no problems at all, even though some may have been expected: · The first phase of the operation was completed without a hitch.· TCI say they hope that approval will be granted for the takeover without a hitch.· Except for the priest forgetting the groom's middle name, the ceremony came off without a hitch.
if something that has been carefully planned goes according to plan , it happens in exactly the way you planned it would: · Development of our new computer system is going according to plan and it should be in operation by October.
something that you succeed in doing when someone or something is successful: · The president believed that his approach was the only one with any chance of success.· After her recent successes in Tokyo and New York, Bjork has returned to perform in England.· Auster was surprised at the success of his latest novel.· Critics have been astonished at the film's success.be a success: · The concert was a great success.success in: · Success in business depends on hard work, determination, and good ideas.(a) big/huge/outstanding etc success: · Many first-class students go on to have even greater success.
something important that you succeed in doing by your own efforts and that other people admire: · Winning three gold medals is a remarkable achievement.· They read about his achievements in the press, and were filled with pride.· He didn't realize until much later what a spectacular achievement his father made in getting his commission as an officer. · Todd always downplayed his athletic achievements.
when you gradually get closer to the result you want to achieve: · We are very pleased with your son's progress at school.· a progress reportprogress in: · Progress in technology has changed people's lives dramatically.progress towards: · We are making steady progress towards equal status for men and women.make progress: · Yes, we've made progress. But there's so much more to do.· The two sides are making some progress toward a compromise.
an important discovery or achievement, especially one that happens suddenly after people have been trying for a long time: · This was an important breakthrough that had an enormous impact on the scientific community.breakthrough in: · Scientists are claiming a major breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS.· The technique is being described as a breakthrough in the field of tele-medicine.make a breakthrough: · Police say they have made a breakthrough in their search for the killer of Diane Sutton.
something good that someone has succeeded in doing and that they are proud of doing: · The Society is giving a dinner for top businesswomen, to reward and recognize their accomplishments.· The team's undefeated run this year is an outstanding accomplishment.· The establishment of full diplomatic relations with China was a major accomplishment of the Carter administration.
to be successful in your work also be a success to earn a lot of money or to become well known and respected, because you do your job very well: · Five years ago he started his own business and now he's very successful.· I'm glad we appointed Cyril - he's proved to be a great success.· In order to be successful as a dancer, you need flair and stamina.· He's leaving the company, despite having been a big success as marketing manager.· People who are successful in their careers have found out what they like and do well.
to be successful in your job, especially because you work hard: · Gail seemed so anxious to do well, and she worked really hard.· When the players do well, I praise them -- but there are no rewards for coming second.· Neither of the kids was doing well in school.· Most of his tutors expected him to do well at Harvard.· My friend left college and went into law, and he's doing very well for himself.
to be successful in your job, especially because you have a very strong desire to succeed: · The people who get on are the ones who create their own opportunities.· My father's experience taught me a memorable lesson in how to get ahead.get on in life/the world: · You may not like having to agree with everything the boss says, but often that's the way to get on in life.· If you want to get ahead in this world, kid, never take 'no' for an answer.
informal to become successful, especially in the sports or entertainment business: · He was a talented football player and I knew he'd make it.· We've fought long and hard to get where we are, and we deserve to make it.make it big (=become very successful): · Many actors move to America, hoping to make it big in Hollywood.make it on your own (=without any help from anyone): · Get as much advice from colleagues as you can - it can be difficult trying to make it on your own.
to become successful in your job by doing it well and continuing to work at it for a fairly long time: · People who have had setbacks are often the ones who are really driven to succeed.· a strong desire to succeedsucceed as a teacher/actor/musician etc: · If you don't change your attitude, you will never succeed as a manager in this firm.succeed at: · My parents always told me I'd succeed at anything I chose to do.succeed in: · A lot of people doubted that I could succeed in business for myself.
to get better and better jobs in a company, organization, or profession so that eventually you have one of the most important jobs in it: · Those who rise to the top in advertising can expect to earn in excess of $100,000.· I think we all like to believe that if someone is made of the right stuff, they will rise to the top.· A consummate professional, he rose to the top of the most competitive organization in the country.
to work very hard in your job so that eventually you reach an important and high position: · While she was working her way up from dishwasher to chef, she was studying at night school to improve her grades. work your way up to the top: · He started two years ago as an admin assistant, and worked his way up to the top.
to be successful in your job so that people notice you and respect your ability, especially because of a particular piece of work you have done: · In his early twenties, Terry was the typical ambitious graduate, full of ideas and eager to make his mark.· She instantly made her mark with a series of award-winning ad campaigns for high-profile clients.
to gain more important and better paid jobs in your chosen area of work, especially by doing things that will get you noticed by more important people that you work with: · First, take a look at what you personally can do to advance your career.· In recent weeks, Janet has become aware that her colleague Alan has been using her to further his own career.
when a company or product is successful · Unless we make a product that people want, we are not going to be successful.· To be successful, agencies must have in place a first-rate financial management system. · The new playstation has been less successful than the previous version.· The campaign was so successful that Harvard Business School adopted it as a case study.
if a company or product does well , it is successful, especially in difficult conditions or when it has not existed for very long: · If the firm does well, your shares will be worth far more than you paid for them.· The producer would only say that sales of the video were 'doing very well indeed.'
if a company, product, film etc is a success , it makes a lot of money because a lot of people use it, buy it, or go to see it: · There was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not the picture would be a success.· We've started our own business. If it's a success we should be earning at least $3,000 per month.· The movie was, not surprisingly, a huge commercial success for Jordan.· The show was an even bigger success than he had dreamed.
if a company or product succeeds , it becomes successful and can continue to do business or be produced: · Even in remote areas people open restaurants, and surprisingly enough, they succeed.· Who'd think of designing a virtual rock-climbing game? Microsoft did, and it succeeded.
if a company, or industry thrives , it is very successful, especially because economic conditions are good or because a lot of people want to buy or use its products: · The IT explosion means that telecommunications companies are thriving.· It is still unclear whether dotcom companies will continue to thrive in the long-term future.
if a company, or industry prospers , it is successful and is able to make good profits because of good economic conditions or good management: · Over the next few years, our little bar prospered and grew in popularity.· India's software companies have prospered by keeping costs to a bare minimum.
to start to be successful if a product, company, your job etc takes off , it suddenly starts being successful: · Her singing career took off after an appearance on Johnny Carson's "Tonight' show in America.· Before you knew it, 11 companies had settled here, and the place really took off.
to be becoming richer, more successful etc: · He's not that famous a musician at the moment, but he's definitely on the way up.· starter homes for young couples on the way up
: up-and-coming artist/player/executive etc an artist, player etc, especially a young one, who is getting more and more successful and who will probably soon be famous: · Many up-and-coming young players have trials for the national football team.· an award for the best up-and-coming comic actress
if you say that a person or company is going places , you mean that they are already achieving success and will probably be even more successful in the future: · Alvin was part of it all now. Only 24, and he was going places.· This company is clearly one that is going places.
British to be getting more successful all the time: · A gliding club that started in a local farmer's barn says business is on the up and up.· We lost at Oxford, but since then we've been on the up and up and won our last four games.
likely to be successful in the future if a person, company, or product has potential , they are likely to be successful in the future, especially if they develop in the right way: · Slater has enormous potential, and should soon be playing football for England.· She realized that cosmetics made from natural products had great commercial potential.reach/fulfil/realize/achieve your (full) potential (=be as successful as you have the ability to be): · Sadly, many students leave before they have the opportunity to achieve their potential.
likely, but not certain, to be very successful: · Jonathan is one of our most promising employees.· Matthew is a promising young dancer with lots of stage personality.· Peter gave up a promising career in chemical engineering to become a priest.
if someone will go far or will go a long way , they will be very successful, especially because they have shown natural ability in something or shown that they have the right sort of character to do something: · I remember watching her play, and thinking 'she'll go far.'· If this team keeps its mind on nothing but football, it will go a long, long way.
to be likely to be successful in whatever you choose to do as a job, especially because you are clever or have natural ability in something: · He is a successful student with a bright future.· Billy Joe has a great future in this team.· A man like you could have a great future here, but you've got to prove yourself.have a great/bright future ahead of you: · She was an attractive girl with a bright future ahead of her when her life was cut short in a tragic car accident.
a successful person use this about a successful person or a job in which someone is successful: successful businessman/star/lawyer etc: · Three years ago she married a successful businessman, and now she never sees her old friends.· a rich, successful entrepreneur· Eddie Murphy is one of Hollywood's most successful stars.· After a long run in the band Genesis, he had a successful solo career.
someone who is extremely successful in their job, especially because they have an unusually high level of ability: · High flyers can expect promotion to Branch Manager by the time they're 30.· Jupe is an academic high-flyer and a gifted administrator.· The potential high flyers of the diplomatic service usually join as administrative trainees.
someone who is determined, who works hard, and who is very successful at whatever they do: · Christopher came from a comfortable family of upper-middle-class achievers. · I guess it was clear to everyone that I was bright and an achiever.high achiever: · The study shows that only-children tend to be high achievers in school.
if someone's life or job is a success story , they have been very successful, especially when they start from a low position or from a situation that does not give them many advantages: · His life has been the classic American success story, from rags to riches.· Richard is one of our success stories -- by accepting voluntary work, he was spared a prison sentence.· Hill represents a police success story, having risen up through the ranks to become chief inspector.
a successful company or product · What are the features that characterized the successful corporations of the past?· He returned to Merseyside after a successful tour with Johnny Gentle.· Our most successful product is based on a very simple idea.· Gradually, word spread, and we built up a very successful business indeed.
a company, organization, or industry that is thriving is very successful, especially because economic conditions are good or because a lot of people want to buy or use their products: · The nearby malls are thriving, and there's no need for another regional shopping centre.· He expanded the shipping trade and left a thriving business to his son. · the thriving fast-food and soft drinks industry
a company or industry that is booming is extremely successful at a particular time, especially because economic conditions are good: · The need for personal protection has led to a booming private security industry here. · Every day, we hear that the IT industry is booming, but where's the real evidence of that?business is booming (=used to say that you are selling a lot of products and making a lot of money): · One company that specializes in fitting old computers with new parts says business is booming.
if a company or product is a success story , it has become extremely successful, especially suddenly: · Tonight, we're going to hear about another business success story from the North East. · Well, the success story might never have happened if the entrepreneur had taken the advice of his bank.
the person who does a particular job after someone else someone who takes a position previously held by someone else: somebody's successor: · In January 1947, Secretary of State Byrnes resigned; his successor was General Marshall. · Two weeks after the death of Pope John Paul, the cardinals met to elect his successor.successor to: · Many people regard him as a likely successor to the current managing director.
to be the next person to take an important position or rank after someone else: · Eisenhower was succeeded by John F. Kennedy.succeed to the throne/the presidency/the championship etc (=become the next king, president etc): · Louis XIII succeeded to the throne when he was only nine years old.succeed somebody as King/President/Secretary General etc: · Bailey will succeed Fuller as Director of Operations.
the person who will be the next leader, when the present one dies, or the person who is most likely to be chosen for an important job, when the present person leaves : · Who is next in line when the current leader of North Korea dies?next in line for: · Tom's next in line for the boss's job.next in line to the throne (=next in line to become king or queen): · Edward VIII was succeeded by his younger brother, who was next in line to the throne.
the next leader, queen, president etc is the one that gets that position after someone else: · Who do you think will be the next prime minister?· The next boss was better than the old one.
when a plan or attempt fails if a plan or attempt fails , it does not achieve what you want it to achieve: · They said the latest space mission was bound to fail.· Try changing the spark plugs, but if that fails take the car to a mechanic.fail to do something: · The investigation failed to establish the cause of the accident.something never fails: · The only way I can make her help me is to pretend I don't want her help. It never fails.
when a plan or attempt fails : failure of: · The failure of the peace talks has led to increased tension on the streets.end/result in failure: · Their first attempt to climb Mount Everest ended in failure.
to fail: · Hoover's attempts to boost the economy did not succeed.· I argued that neither strategy could succeed.not succeed in doing something: · The campaign might not succeed in eliminating the disease, but it would make people think about health and hygiene.
an unsuccessful attempt to do something does not have the result that you wanted: · The army made an unsuccessful attempt to end the rebellion.· I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
: vain attempt/effort/search a serious attempt, effort etc that is completely unsuccessful: · I remembered all my vain attempts to change his mind.· He stretched up his arms in a vain effort to reach the top of the embankment.
: fruitless attempt/search/effort etc one that fails completely to bring the result that you want: · I spent the next three hours in a fruitless search of her room.· After weeks of fruitless argument they finally agreed to go their separate ways.· Their attempt to settle the dispute by peaceful negotiations proved fruitless.
a meeting, discussion etc that is unproductive produces very few good results: · The meeting was long and noisy, but unproductive.· It was one of those unproductive confrontations between students and senior members of the university.
to be unsuccessful - use this especially about something that fails even though it was very carefully planned: · The government's expensive election campaign had been a failure.be a complete/total failure: · There was a 5-year plan to modernize the economy, but it was a complete failure.
if a planned attempt to do something goes wrong , it fails after it has started well: · The experiment went wrong when the chemicals combined to form a poisonous gas.go badly wrong British (=fail completely): · The rescue attempt went badly wrong when the building collapsed.
if a method or attempt does not work , it fails because it is not suitable or not right for the situation you are in: · I tried to fix it with glue, but that didn't work.not work with: · Teaching methods that work with adults do not always work with children.
if something you do to try to help or deal with a problem does no good , it does not have any useful effect: · Calm down Robyn. Getting hysterical will do no good.· You can try and persuade her to change her mind, but I don't think it'll do any good.do no good whatsoever (=have no useful effect at all): · Judges expect a certain level of competence, so staging a little-girl-lost act in court will do no good whatsoever.
if a plan, arrangement, or deal falls through , something stops it from happening, with the result that people are disappointed: · The deal fell through because they couldn't get enough money from the bank.· It was unbelievable -- it took two years to set the whole thing up and it fell through at the last minute!
if a business or political plan is dead in the water, it has failed completely, almost before it has even started - used especially in newspapers: · Their election campaign now appears to be dead in the water.
to start doing a job that someone else used to do · We're looking for someone to replace our managing director.· The lead singer was replaced by Ray Willis back in 1992.· It was Johnson's first season after replacing Tom Landry as coach of the Cowboys.
to be the next person to have a job or position, especially an important or powerful position, after someone else has left it or died: · The President appointed Harold Brown to succeed Les Aspin as chairman of the Commission in 1995.· George VI died in 1952, leaving his elder daughter Elizabeth to succeed him.
to replace someone in a job or position, especially because you have similar skills and experience to them: · There's no one suitable to take Simon's place when he leaves.· If Mark fails to qualify as a trainee, Margaret is designated to take his place.· Thielen will take the place of Ray Owens on the board following Owens's retirement.
to replace someone in a job or position, and to continue the work they started: · The new manager took over in July.take over from/for: · Do you think you'd be able to take over me when I'm gone?· The attorney general of New Jersey took over from the local district attorney in the case.take over as: · We're pleased to announce that Mr. Schmidt will be taking over as Executive Director.take over something (from somebody): · Glover's understudy took over the role on Broadway.take something over (from somebody): · Maria's been my partner since I took the business over from my father.
to replace a competitor or enemy in a position of authority or influence, especially by using unfair methods: · General Salan was supplanted soon after the invasion by General Henri Navarre.· Adams, an excellent new pitcher, may supplant Hayes as starting pitcher by the end of the year.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
(=to be the next king or queen after someone else) Who will succeed him to the throne?
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Who will succeed him to the throne?· If the appeal fails, he will serve his full sentence.
· He failed in his attempt to set a new Olympic record.
· All attempts to find a cure have failed.
· Making a business succeed is not simple.
(=generations that follow one another)· This medical textbook has been used by successive generations of medical students and doctors.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Of course, no municipal system succeeds in totally eliminating the use of force.· Lieutenants Peel and Maloney succeeded in so alarming the men that they decided to march to join Paredes and the revolutionists.· Not only had he won a match he was desperate to succeed in, he had also earned his Liverpool colours.· Republicans, battered as they are in the public opinion polls, succeeded in dramatically transforming the terms of the national debate.· Despite their new-found power, however, they did not succeed in totally obliterating what had been before.· What would happen if my parents succeeded in getting my student grant revoked, which well they might?· You will be able to tackle and succeed in almost anything provided you set about the problem in the right way.· By 1996 the strategy had succeeded in significantly expanding the scope of school-to-work in Tulsa.
· The loop will never succeed in removing the conditionality.· I was convinced that without a college degree I could never succeed.· We shall never succeed in reaching an agreement on how far back we must go.· He had never succeeded, and now he was old enough to understand why.· Throughout his time in Darlington he maintained that the football club would never succeed while it played at Feethams.· As ward of the king I and my lands would be free of Master Higham; otherwise I might never succeed.· They've never succeeded: sickness, hunger, wanderlust, something drives them on.
· Criteria belong to an explanation of identity claims, but an explanation succeeds only in the context of what can be understood.· But too many nasty ads succeed only in making all candidates unpopular.· We shall only succeed in dealing with the problems through a vast international cooperative effort.· That succeeded only partially in the setting, but the costumes were attractive.· Triumphant Rome tried to exterminate the Church of Mary, but only succeeded in driving it underground.· They can only succeed by imposing long-run discipline upon capitalists.· She tried to get out of it, but only succeeded in making herself the last to sing.
· But they will not succeed where the law has failed.· Mairs succeeds where many others have failed by being not only an engaging writer, but an engaging thinker.· Its long-suffering shareholders are to get the opportunity to succeed where the government failed in 1982, and break the company up.· He had succeeded where I had quit, and I almost burst with pride.· Mr Rifkind will deserve warm praise if he can succeed where several incumbents have failed.· Why did the Board of Delegates succeed where past organizing efforts had failed?· In two other important areas, Johnson succeeded where Kennedy had failed.· Instead, they are buoyed by positive illusions that they can break new ground or succeed where others have failed.
NOUN· I didn't have a chance to succeed without even trying failure.· Students in these schools also were more optimistic about their chances of succeeding after high school.· This experience gave him at least a chance of succeeding in the Caucasus.· But Platt, at 25, has every chance of eventually succeeding Pearce who is five years older.
· He is expected to be inaugurated next week, becoming the first president to succeed his father in an Arab republic.· Sometimes the Senate would decree that the son of a deceased emperor was unfit to succeed his father.· He succeeds his father, Wallace D.. Iott, 80, who continues as chairman of the company.· In 1240 Edward succeeded his father as keeper of the king's works at Westminster, which then chiefly concerned the palace.· Peyton was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1655, having also succeeded his father as an examiner in Chancery in 1654.· He succeeded his father, Hesychius, as bishop of Vienne, in or about 490.
· Initially nothing succeeds like success: but eventually success exceeds itself, and decline and despondency set in.· But we also succeeded, and our successes fueled us.· Nothing succeeded so much as success for the organization.· Nothing succeeds like success and it applies perfectly to the Sainsbury family, their 100,000 employees and 60,000 shareholders.
· This, then, was the situation when Mary succeeded to the throne, and the rival factions lined up.· Wenceslaus' son succeeded to the throne.· When he succeeded to the throne in 1625, Buckingham became his chief minister.
· Despite all its problems the Club had a strong will to succeed and was rarely despondent.· She had enough guts coupled with an ego that nurtures the will to succeed.· Nor will managers succeed by putting greater emphasis on planning or simply overlapping various stages in the development process.· First, will Airbus succeed even without government support?· He thinks everybody has the same blind will to succeed as himself.· The Edinburgh Summit will tell us whether it has a real will to succeed.· Call his machines what you will-sculptures, utopian models, proposals, follies-they reflect a will to succeed.· Immigrants tend to be a highly motivated, self-selected group with a strong will to succeed.
VERB· If the old man had been home. the ruse could hardly hope to succeed.· A Humphrey-type campaign to bypass the primaries and seek the nomination at the convention itself could no longer hope to succeed.· We must all hope the negotiations succeed and that perhaps we may even see Bobby Fischer on the regular tournament circuit.· Cruttwell remains to be rewritten; but whoever embarks upon that task can not hope to succeed without Strachan at his elbow.· I hope that we shall succeed in doing that, especially with regard to special inspections of previously undeclared sites.· And you'd better hope we succeed.· I am particularly proud of this scheme and I sincerely hope it will succeed.· There is still hope that talks can succeed.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- Initially nothing succeeds like success: but eventually success exceeds itself, and decline and despondency set in.
- However, the utterance only succeeds in having this function if certain external conditions are fulfilled.
- It's always been a Dark Force, and you've only succeeded in harnessing a minuscule aspect of it.
- Laws against abortion only succeed in making it painful and dangerous.
- Revolutions only succeed in Britain if they pretend to be fondly restoring the past, not accelerating change.
- She tried to get out of it, but only succeeded in making herself the last to sing.
- Triumphant Rome tried to exterminate the Church of Mary, but only succeeded in driving it underground.
- We shall only succeed in dealing with the problems through a vast international cooperative effort.
WORD FAMILYnounsuccesssuccessionsuccessoradjectivesuccessful ≠ unsuccessfulsuccessiveverbsucceedadverbsuccessfully ≠ unsuccessfully
1[intransitive] to do what you tried or wanted to do: She wanted to be the first woman to climb Mount Everest, and she almost succeeded.succeed in doing something Scientists claim they have succeeded in finding a cure for cancer. Very few people succeed in losing weight and keeping it off.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say they manage to do something rather than succeed in doing something:· Eventually I managed to get the lid back on the box.GRAMMAR• You succeed in doing something: · She succeeded in persuading him. ✗Don’t say: She succeeded to persuade him.• You can also use succeed on its own: · I hope you succeed.• Succeed is not used transitively in this meaning. ✗Don’t say: I hope you succeed it.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS2[intransitive] to have the result or effect something was intended to have: Unfortunately his plan did not succeed.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say that a method or treatment works rather than succeeds:· We tried rebooting the computer, but that didn’t work.3[intransitive] to do well in your job, especially because you have worked hard at it for a long timesucceed as I’m not sure he has the determination to succeed as an actor.succeed in a woman who succeeded in politics4[intransitive, transitive] to be the next person to take a position or job after someone elsesucceed somebody as something Reeves will succeed Segal as Speaker of the House.succeed somebody to the throne (=to be the next king or queen after someone else) Who will succeed him to the throne?5[transitive] to come after or replace something else, especially another product: This car is intended to succeed the popular Fiesta.6nothing succeeds like success used to say that success often leads to even greater success7only succeed in doing something used when someone does the opposite of what they intended to do: It seems I’ve only succeeded in upsetting you.THESAURUSsucceed in doing somethingsucceed verb [intransitive] to do something you tried or wanted to do: · Will they succeed in winning the election?· He wanted to make her jealous, and he succeeded.manage verb [intransitive] to succeed in doing something difficult, after trying hard. Manage to do something is very commonly used instead of succeed in doing something in everyday English: · He finally managed to find an apartment near his office.· Don’t worry – I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.achieve verb [transitive] to succeed in doing something good or important: · She’s achieved a lot in the short time she’s been with the company.· If we are to achieve our goals, we have to plan properly.accomplish verb [transitive] formal to achieve something: · The government accomplished its objective of reducing violent crime.· What do you hope to accomplish this year?make it to be successful in your career, or to succeed in reaching a place or part of a competition: · Only a few people make it to the top and become professional singers.· We finally made it to Chicago.· Which two teams will make it to the final?pull off phrasal verb to succeed in doing something, especially when you could easily have not succeeded. Pull off sounds rather informal: · Italy pulled off a great victory over Germany.· I’d never performed on my own before, and wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.