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单词 fail
释义
fail1 verbfail2 nounfail3 interjection
failfail1 /feɪl/ ●●● S2 W1 verb Entry menu
MENU FOR failfail1 not succeed2 not do something3 exam/test4 I fail to see/understand5 company/business6 machine/body part7 health8 never fail to do something9 your courage/will/nerve fails (you)10 fail somebody11 crops12 rains
Word Origin
WORD ORIGINfail1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French faillir, from Latin fallere ‘to deceive, disappoint’
Verb Table
VERB TABLE
fail
Simple Form
PresentI, you, we, theyfail
he, she, itfails
PastI, you, he, she, it, we, theyfailed
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave failed
he, she, ithas failed
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad failed
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill fail
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have failed
Continuous Form
PresentIam failing
he, she, itis failing
you, we, theyare failing
PastI, he, she, itwas failing
you, we, theywere failing
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave been failing
he, she, ithas been failing
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad been failing
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill be failing
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have been failing
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • ''How did you do in accountancy?'' ''I failed''.
  • "How did Chris do in his driving test?" "He failed."
  • A large number of businesses failed when interest rates rose.
  • A very high percentage of small businesses fail within their first year.
  • Across the state, corn crops failed due to the drought.
  • Having failed to find her friend, she decided to return home.
  • His heart failed and there was nothing we could do to save him.
  • I failed my math test.
  • I failed to convince him that I was right.
  • If I fail my driving test again, I'm going to give up.
  • If they were trying to put us out of business, they have failed completely.
  • If your marriage fails it can be difficult to make a new start in life.
  • In the last ten minutes of the game, one of the television cameras failed.
  • Jonathan failed his law exams at the end of the year.
  • Many of the boys in the program had been failing at school.
  • Millions of people have tried to quit smoking and failed miserably.
  • My attempt to lose weight failed completely.
  • One of the engines failed at 30,000 feet.
  • Our plan to go into business failed when the bank refused to lend us enough money.
  • Peace talks between the two countries have failed.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Cal and Stanford so far have tried, and failed, to sweep the Washington road trip.
  • Imprisonment is a harsh measure that should be used only when every other reasonable avenue has failed.
  • It has failed to maintain the civilization to which he has given his life as a man.
  • Marriages can fail, and divorce is sometimes necessary.
  • What he fails to add is that nowadays information is as leaky as a fistful of sand.
  • When it came up for a vote in the House, the amendment failed.
  • Yet he failed to subvert even his vulnerable neighbour.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
to not succeed – used about people, plans, methods etc: · The plan failed.· They failed to persuade her to change her mind.· This method never fails.
if something you do goes wrong, it fails after starting well: · The experiment went wrong when the chemicals combined to form a poisonous gas.
if something does not work, it does not do what you want it to do: · The drugs don’t work.· I tried to fix it with glue, but that didn’t work.
to not have the result you wanted: · His first attempt to get a teaching job was unsuccessful.· The search was unsuccessful.
to be unsuccessful, with the result that you have wasted your efforts: · The government’s 5-year plan to modernize the economy was a complete failure.
if a plan or action backfires, it does the opposite of what it was intended to do: · His plan to get attention backfired, and instead of being promoted he lost his job.
if you try to do something in vain, you fail to do it: · They tried in vain to save him.· All her efforts had been in vain.
Longman Language Activatorwhen you do not succeed
· We tried to make her change her mind, but we failed.fail to do something · I failed to convince him that I was right.· Having failed to find her friend, she decided to return home.fail completely · If they were trying to put us out of business, they have failed completely.fail miserably (=fail completely, in a way that is embarrassing) · Millions of people have tried to quit smoking and failed miserably.
when you fail in something you are trying to do: · She never tries anything because she's terrified of failure.· His ability has been called into question after a number of recent failures.failure to do something: · The failure of the international community to deal effectively with the problem has cost thousands of lives.
informal to fail in your job, especially because you do not earn a lot of money or do not become well known and respected: not make it as: · No one was surprised when he didn't make it as a rock star.not make it in: · She soon realized she'd never make it in the cut-throat world of journalism.
to fail after trying hard for a long time: · Unless you compromise, you'll get nowhere.get nowhere with: · Realizing she was getting nowhere with Paul, she approached John.
if all your work, preparation etc is for nothing , you have tried to achieve something and spent a lot of time on it, but failed: · If we don't get the contract all our hard work will have been for nothing.· I don't want to struggle all my life for nothing.
if you tried to do something in vain , or if your efforts were in vain ,you completely failed after a lot of effort: try/search/battle etc in vain: · Doctors tried in vain to save him but he died just before dawn.· Police have spent hours searching in vain for the missing teenager.be in vain: · It took a great deal of courage to admit that all her efforts had been in vain.
British /come up empty-handed American informal fail to find or discover information or a person or thing you are looking for: · Once again police investigators have drawn a blank.· The private detective she hired to look for him had come up empty-handed.
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 have the opposite effect to what was intended
if a plan or action backfires , it is intended to do one thing but instead does the opposite: · His plan to get attention backfired, and instead of being promoted he lost his job.backfire on: · Trying to make your partner jealous by flirting with other people can easily backfire on you.
an action or plan that is self-defeating is not well planned or is badly done, so that it produces the opposite effect from the one intended: · Taxing poor people to pay for hospitals is always self- defeating.· Attempts to stir up nationalistic feeling at such times are bound to be self-defeating.
intended to make something better, but actually making it worse: · Putting very young offenders in prison can be counterproductive.· Constant correction by a teacher is often counterproductive, as the student may become afraid to speak at all.
certain to fail
something that is pointless is unlikely to have a very useful or successful result, so it would be better not to do it or try it: · The argument was completely pointless.· Most people think the project is a pointless waste of money.pointless exercise: · Speculating like that was always a pointless exercise, but he did it nevertheless.it is pointless to do something: · It's pointless to take notes and then never look at them again.it is pointless doing something: · She decided it was pointless trying to work while her mind was on other things.
especially spoken something that is a waste of time is unlikely to achieve any useful result, so you would be wasting your time if you tried to do it: · Many people think that complaining about bad service is a waste of time.a complete/total waste of time: · These meetings are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever gets decided.it is a waste of time doing something: · It's a waste of time going to the doctor - he'll just tell you to get plenty of rest.
spoken say this when you think that it is useless to do something because you will not achieve anything useful by doing it: · "Why don't you try to explain things to him?" "There's no point, he never listens."· I was going to buy a new car, but what's the point when my old one's perfectly all right?there's no point (in) doing something: · There's no point getting a new carpet until the decorating's done.what's the point in/of doing something?: · What's the point of giving a signal when there are no other cars around to see it?
not having any chance at all of succeeding: · Attempts to clean up the environment are doomed unless businesses take a leading role.· Within a few months she realized that her marriage was doomed.doomed to failure: · If you refuse to provide any information to the user, then your computer program is doomed to failure.doomed from the start: · Their business venture was doomed from the start, as they did not have the necessary capital.
something that you try to make successful, although it seems very clear to other people that it cannot succeed: · At first it seemed the attempt to save the species was a lost cause.· The miners' strike of 1984 turned out to be a lost cause.
British an idea or plan that will definitely not be successful: · Everybody would prefer a lower rate of tax, but that that is a non-starter economically.· The project would have been a non-starter without the help of Judith Glyn.
when an event or product is unsuccessful
· The latest model seems likely to be a failure since cheaper versions are now available.be a complete/total failure · It takes a little while for an author to realize that his book has been a complete failure. be a commercial failure (=to not make enough profit) · Her first film was praised by the critics, but was a commercial failure.
to be completely unsuccessful, in a way that makes people feel disappointed and embarrassed: · It was a fiasco! Nobody knew what they were doing and everything went wrong.· The show turned into a fiasco when members of the audience invaded the stage.be a complete/total fiasco: · Lamont's attempts to prop up the pound were a complete fiasco.
if an event, especially a social event, is a disaster , it makes people feel angry, disappointed, or embarrassed, instead of being enjoyable: · Our first date was a disaster.· The whole visit was something of a disaster, and he was still recovering from it months later.be a total/complete disaster: · Even the host would have to admit that the evening had been a complete disaster.
if a situation or event is a shambles , it is completely unsuccessful because it has been very badly planned or organized: · The whole conference was a shambles because half the speakers did not come.· The way this school is run is a shambles.be a complete/total shambles: · Let's hope this year's celebrations aren't a complete shambles like last year's.
if a product, play, or performance flops or is a flop , it is not successful because people do not like it: · The movie flopped and Laughton never got the chance to direct again.· It was just another so-called "wonder product' that flopped when people failed to buy it.· Despite all the publicity, the show was a flop.· It is the public who decide whether a film will be a hit or a flop.
informal if a product, play, or performance bombs , it is not successful because people do not like it: · Although the show was a hit in London it bombed on Broadway.· She has had few offers of work since her last movie bombed so spectacularly.
to fail an exam or test
to not succeed in an examination or test: · Jonathan failed his law exams at the end of the year.· If I fail my driving test again, I'm going to give up.· ''How did you do in accountancy?'' ''I failed''.fail by 2 marks/5% etc: · We expected her to pass easily, but she failed by 15 marks.
especially American, informal to fail an examination or test: · He thought he was going to flunk chemistry, but he got a D.· I flunked, and had to do the test again.
especially American informal to fail a course at college or university and be forced to leave: · You either pass and get your degree or flunk out.flunk out of college/school etc: · It was extremely humiliating to flunk out of law school like that.
American informal to fail very badly: · I bombed the English test yesterday.
when a relationship or marriage fails
· If your marriage fails it can be difficult to make a new start in life.· She was trapped in a failing relationship.
British if a marriage or other relationship goes wrong , or something about it goes wrong ,something happens or changes to make it fail after it had started well: · It was soon after the birth of their first child that their relationship started to go wrong.· Only the two of you know what went wrong.
informal if a marriage is on the rocks , it is in difficulties and likely to fail: · There had been signs that their marriage was on the rocks for years.
when a company, shop, or business fails
· A large number of businesses failed when interest rates rose.· Several thousands of small businesses fail each week.
if a company goes out of business , it stops existing because it is no longer making a profit: · Many small farms are going out of business.be put/forced out of business: · As the recession hit, many traders were forced out of business.
if a business, bank, or company goes under , it fails - used especially in newspapers and business contexts: · When the company went under, some of our workers found positions with Ford.
if a shop, factory, or business closes down, it stops making or selling goods: · If the factory closes down, 600 people will lose their jobs.· Coal mines are closing down all over the country.· Not long ago, the orchestra was the pride of the city. Now it is on the verge of closing down.
British /closing American when a shop, factory, or business fails and closes: · Further factory closures have been announced.closure of: · The closing of the Minton Savings and Loan was a great loss to the town.face/be threatened with closure (=to be going to close down): · Penrhyn is now the largest quarry in the world, yet 5 years ago it faced closure.
informal if a person or company goes bankrupt , they are legally forced to sell their property and possessions to pay their debts: · Her father went bankrupt in 1984.· He bought a small printing firm that had gone bankrupt.· The company went bust last year, owing £12 million.
informal to fail and be unable to continue in business: · Most of the companies dependent on the steelworks folded within weeks.
informal to fail and be unable to continue in business, especially because of difficult economic conditions: · Over 300 small firms have gone to the wall in the past year.· High interest rates will force many businesses to go to the wall.
a time when an economy is not successful
a period when a country's economic growth stops and there is less trade, so that many companies have to reduce the number of workers they employ: · The car industry, like most other industries, is feeling the effects of the recession.severe recession (=very bad recession): · In times of severe recession companies are often forced to make massive job cuts in order to survive.in recession (=suffering from a recession): · The economy is in recession and will remain so for at least another year.
a period when there is a big reduction in trade so that many companies fail and a lot of people lose their jobs: · The post-war slump sent the unemployment figures to twice the expected level.slump in: · The slump in the property market is making it difficult for people to sell their homes.
a period of time continuing for several years when greatly reduced business activity severely affects a country's economic growth, and a lot of people lose their jobs - use this especially when this affects many countries across the world: · In Germany the depression in the late 1920s helped Hitler's rise to power.· Hartnell blamed his financial difficulties on the worldwide depression.
a sudden and unexpected fall in the value of shares in companies, with the result that many companies have to close and a lot of people lose their jobs: · Luckily, I sold my shares just before the crash.· The Wall Street Crash was disastrous for many American businessmen.stock market crash (=crash in the organizations that buy and sell shares in companies): · The stock market crash made me suspicious of those types of insurance schemes.
to stop working
if something goes wrong with a machine, it stops working normally - use this especially about complicated equipment, when you do not know what the problem is: · Who'll fix my computer if something goes wrong?something goes wrong with: · Occasionally something went wrong with the projector and the movie was canceled.· Something's gone wrong with my washing machine.
if a car, bus, train, or large machine breaks down , it stops working completely: · She was late for the meeting because her car broke down.· The elevators in this building are always breaking down.
if a computer crashes , it suddenly stops working, and information is often lost because of this: · I installed the new program and my computer crashed.· Hundreds of hospital records were wiped out when the network crashed.
if an engine cuts out , it suddenly stops working: · Every time Mark slowed down the engine cut out.· I started to go up the hill and the engine just cut out on me.
especially written if a part of a machine or of a piece of electrical equipment fails , it stops working: · The driver of the car claims that his brakes failed and he was unable to stop.· In the last ten minutes of the game, one of the television cameras failed.· One of the engines failed at 30,000 feet.
formal to stop working properly: · This is a sign that the computer's hard disk is malfunctioning.· Both satellites entered orbit but quickly malfunctioned.
British informal if a machine packs up , it stops working, especially because it is old: · When this record player packs up, I'll buy a CD player.· They won't know what to do if a pipe bursts or if the heater packs up.
to not do something that you should do
· I haven't done my taxes yet and they're due next week.· The electrician came round yesterday, but he didn't do all the jobs I asked him to do.· She was afraid that if she didn't do what her boss told her she would be fired.
to not try to help someone or prevent a bad situation, even though you know it is happening: · How could neighbors listen to her scream and do nothing?do nothing/not do anything about: · We told the police months ago, but they still haven't done anything about it.do nothing/not do anything to do something: · No one did anything to stop the purse snatcher.
formal to do nothing, especially when this is a deliberate decision: · If you have already paid the amount shown on this bill, you need take no further action.take no action to do something: · Local police took no action to protect the family from the attacks.
formal to not do something that you should do, especially when this has serious results: · The driver of the car failed to stop in time, and the boy was killed.· If you fail to provide all the information, we will be unable to process your application.
to not do something because you do not pay enough attention or forget, especially when this could have serious results: · Marie decided not to move, but she neglected to inform the rental agency.· The public are demanding to know why the government neglected to warn them of the oil shortages.
formal to not do something, either because you forget to do it or because you deliberately choose not to do it: · Mrs Hobbs told me about the meeting but she omitted to tell me where it was.· Starr's account omits to mention that it was his own actions that caused the fire.
to not do anything to stop something bad from happening, when you should do something to show that you care about the situation: · Why did people just stand by while she was attacked?· We can't afford to just sit by and watch more of our local industry shut down.
spoken to not even move or start to do something when there is an urgent situation: · Don't just stand there - help me catch the cat!· When the fire alarm went off she just sat there as if she hadn't heard a thing.
always effective
· The system is new, but so far it seems to be reliable.a reliable way/method etc of doing something · Eating sensibly and taking regular exercise is a fairly reliable method of losing weight.· In Africa, cellular phones are often the only reliable way of communicating.
certain to be effective or successful: · Thursday night's line-up includes such surefire attractions as 'The Simpsons' and 'Friends'.a surefire way to do something/of doing something: · I know a surefire way to get a car started on a freezing winter morning.a surefire solution to something: · There's no surefire solution to the problem of improving the company's performance.a surefire recipe for success/disaster (=something that is certain to be successful or not successful): · Going on holiday with my parents would be a surefire recipe for disaster.
a method, system, or plan that is foolproof is always effective, because it is simple to understand and operate, and cannot go wrong: · I thought this method was foolproof until four customer orders went missing.· Each article goes through a foolproof system of checking which ensures that there are no mistakes in the final text.a foolproof way to do something/of doing something: · There's no foolproof way to judge whether someone is the right person for the job.
a method or system that is infallible always produces the right result and never goes wrong: · Banks claim their cash-dispensing computers are infallible.an infallible way to do something/of doing something: · There is no infallible way of predicting exactly what the weather will be like.
spoken use this to tell someone that a method is always effective, especially when you have used it successfully before: · It's a very simple technique, but it never fails.· If I'm having trouble sleeping, having a hot bath at night works every time.· You should try this recipe. It's so easy that you can't fail.
not effective
also ineffective having very little effect, so that it does not achieve what it is meant to achieve: · Studies have shown that this is not effective as a teaching technique.· The German tactics were so ineffective that Brazil had complete control in midfield.ineffective in doing something: · The government's approach has been ineffective in reducing unemployment.
informal not having any useful effect and not helping you get the result you want: · This book is useless! I can't find any of the information I need.· I reminded myself that worrying is a useless activity.useless against: · Antibiotics are useless against viral infections such as influenza.it is useless to do something: · Jenny decided to say nothing. It was useless to argue.worse than useless (=used to emphasize that something has no useful effect and may make a situation worse): · Of course we need to test children's ability, but some of these exams are worse than useless.
spoken say this when you have been trying to do something, but you realize that what you are doing is never likely to be effective: · This whole project's a waste of time, if you ask me.be a big/complete waste of time: · I came to the conclusion that therapy was a complete waste of time.
if something does not work, it does not produce the result that you want: · My doctor recommended several different creams for dry skin, but none of them worked.· If stain remover doesn't work, you'd better send your dress to the dry cleaners.· I tried ignoring his unpleasant remarks, but it didn't work.
if something has no effect , it produces no results at all or is completely unsuccessful: · The drugs had no effect.· Paul realized that his words were having no effect; Karen was not going to change her mind.
if an attempt to do something fails , you do not achieve the result that you want: · My attempt to lose weight failed completely.· Our plan to go into business failed when the bank refused to lend us enough money.
never likely to be effective - used especially by newspapers about political activities, plans etc: · They're saying that the democratic campaign is dead in the water just two days after its launch.· I think you should admit that the government's plans for higher education are now dead in the water.
to not impress someone
· OK, so he went to Yale! That doesn't impress me!· The defence evidence didn't impress the judge, and he sentenced Wright to 3 years in jail.· I tried making a joke but it failed to impress anyone.
not good enough to impress anyone: · Marie's performance in the last exam was unimpressive.· When you think how much has been spent on research, the results are sadly unimpressive.· The best the team could come up with was an unimpressive 1-1 tie.
to not notice something
· "Does Alex like your new hairstyle?" "He didn't even notice."· I saw Mike in town but he didn't notice me.not notice (that) · He was so wrapped up in his studying that he didn't notice that the phone was ringing.· She didn't notice her jewelry box was missing until after the police had left.not notice how/who/what etc · We were so busy we didn't notice how late it was.
to not notice something because it is difficult to see: · She missed the exit and had to turn around.· Jo spotted a mistake that everyone else had missed.· It's easy to miss the entrance - the sign is hidden behind a tree.
to not notice something because you have not been careful enough: · They found some important evidence that the police had overlooked.· Make a list of what you need to bring so you don't overlook anything.it's easy to overlook somebody/something: · The Hotel les Tipaniers, practically hidden between two much larger hotels, is easy to overlook but worth finding.
written to not notice something, especially when this could have a serious result: · Atkinson failed to notice the car ahead of him was parked and drove straight into the back of it.· They were not prepared for his second heart attack, having failed to notice the warning signs.· There was a growing resentment among inmates which the prison authorities had either failed to notice or just ignored.
if a fact escapes somebody's notice , they do not notice it, especially when they should have noticed it: · This problem has completely escaped his notice.· I'm amazed that there are so many restaurants in Tucson that have completely escaped my notice over the years.
: go/pass/escape etc unnoticed happen without anyone noticing: · The death of the former movie star passed unnoticed.· There were a lot of people at the party, which made it easy for Gary to slip away unnoticed.· Gradual hearing loss often goes unnoticed until substantial damage is done.
secretly, without being seen: · The royal couple arrived unseen in an unmarked car.· He managed to creep out of the house unseen and slip out through the garden.
to fail a test
to not reach a high enough standard to succeed in a test or exam: · She failed her history class and has to take it again.· "How did Chris do in his driving test?" "He failed."· Many of the boys in the program had been failing at school.
American informal to fail an exam: · He was cutting school and flunking classes.· She flunked the state bar exam four times before she finally passed.flunk out (=fail all your classes, so that you have to leave school): · Brant flunked out of college his first year.
American informal to fail a test or exam very badly: · I bombed on the quiz he gave us.· "How'd it go?" "I bombed on the written section, but I think I did okay on the multiple choice part."
WORD SETS
associated company, nounboardroom, nounBros., cartel, nounchain, nounCo., collective, nouncom, concern, nounconglomerate, nouncontractor, nounco-op, nouncooperative, adjectivecooperative, nounCorp., corporate, adjectivecorporation, noundivision, noundivisional, adjectiveempire, nounenterprise, nounexecutive, adjectiveexpand, verbexpansion, nounfail, verbgiant, noungroup, nounInc., incorporated, adjectiveindie, nounindustrial espionage, nounin-house, adjectiveinside, adverbinterest, nounjoint-stock company, nounlimited company, nounLtd, Messrs, multinational, adjectivemultinational, nounnewspaper, nounoutsourcing, nounparent company, nounpayroll, nounplc, nounpractice, nounprofit and loss account, nounproprietary, adjectivepty, public company, nounpublic corporation, nounpublic limited company, nounreceivership, nounregistered office, nounshipper, nounsubsidiary, nounsupplier, nountakeover, nountop-heavy, adjective
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
 He failed in his attempt to regain the world title.
 Millions of people have tried to quit smoking and failed miserably (=been completely unsuccessful).
 his efforts to save his failing marriage
 If all else fails, you may be advised to have an operation.
 The government are failing in their duty to protect people.
 Failing eyesight forced him to retire early.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· 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.
(=do not work when you use them)· Going down the mountain I was afraid the brakes might fail.
(=stops operating)· 35% of small businesses fail in the first year of operation.
(=goes bankrupt)· His audio equipment company failed in the mid 1980s.
(=one that did not succeed)· There was an attempted coup against Togo’s military dictator.
(=is not great enough to do something)· I was going to jump but my courage failed at the last moment.
· If you pass the course, you get a diploma in psychology.
(=does not grow or produce food properly)· The drought meant the crops failed and food was scarce.
(=not do something that you should do)· I would be failing in my duty if I didn't warn you of the dangers.
· If you fail the exam, you can retake it.
· Michael had never yet failed an examination.
· In his later years, he suffered from failing eyesight.
· He's over 80 now, and his eyesight is beginning to fail.
(=there are no crops or only poor crops)· The potato harvest failed that year.
(=when someone is becoming more ill)· Despite failing health, he travelled to Australia to visit his son.
· He couldn’t join the army because he failed the medical inspection.
· After two failed marriages, she was not willing to risk marrying again.
 The money we had been promised failed to materialize.
(=deliberately not mention something)· I omitted to mention that I had not been to university.
(=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)· At the last moment, her nerve failed her.
 I’m trying to persuade your dad to buy some shares.
(=becoming less good)· Mark felt that his creative powers were waning.
(=becoming worse)· He ran the business until failing sight forced him to retire.
(=gets much worse)· He was in his seventies when his sight began to fail.
 The government has signally failed to deal with the problem.
· If your immune system breaks down, you will be vulnerable to infections.
· An alarm sounds a warning before the system breaks down.
(also flunk a test American English informal)· He failed the test and had to take it again.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I had failed miserably to give my readers a true picture of the visual delights awaiting those who followed in my footsteps.· But he failed miserably in getting lawmakers to pass offsetting spending cuts, aggravating two decades of deficits.· The barriers are clear enough, what remains unclear is why some people are able to surmount them when others fail miserably.· He had tried farming and publishing and failed miserably at both.· But back home his colleagues at Eaton Park failed miserably.· School-to-work must reflect business priorities and will fail miserably without business participation.· Attempts to create vehicles of left-wing opinion have not succeeded; both the News-on-Sunday and the East End News failed miserably.· A handful of dramas make the grade but the sitcoms are failing miserably.
· For all his weaknesses and crimes, Mobutu's sense of national unity never failed him.· A young man who never failed, failing.· And why does the process never fail?· He redistributed clumps of parsley a garnish that for some reason never failed to be available in the markets.· I never fail to remember on the day of the year when I was made a priest.· This mime of his never failed to invoke my deep defensiveness with regard to all things Kip.· Procris had given Cephalus a javelin that never failed to strike what it was aimed at.
NOUN
· However, though much gets through, many attempts fail.· The first attempts failed, but with collaboration from Hebb and others, successful adaptations were made.· While past cease-fires and attempts at disarmament have failed, the current peace process has gone relatively smoothly.· But also once again a friend intervened, wrestling the gun away from him, and the attempt failed.· If this attempt fails, the procedure does not process this module any further.· Barzel's attempt failed by two votes and there were accusations of bribery being used to achieve the result.· Seismologists throughout the world have searched for such a precursor for more than 100 years but their attempts have failed.
· I would be failing in my duty if I allowed him such undeserved relief.· You failed to do your duty as a soldier and succeeded in overthrowing the most legitimate government the nation has ever had.· Where the unions fail in their duties to black workers they must be challenged to stand up for their rights.· Phipps also performed well, but spoiled his record by failing to report for duty on two occasions.· Greenpeace claim that the Authority is failing in its statutory duty to gather the necessary evidence to enforce the law.· The Board dismissed him for allegedly failing in his duties to teach junior doctors.· Lap Karen McCafferty, 17, was punished when she failed to memorise duty procedures.· He had certainly been failing in his duty towards Dimity.
· How many people do you know who failed their first driving test?· The man fails with the test!· Is a child who fails a year test to be kept down?· But the Legislature went on to fail a big test in the mid- 1970s.· Pritchard failed a roadside breath test which recorded 151 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.· Gentry was stopped May 26, 1995, for weaving and failed a roadside sobriety test.· Rolle, alas, must fail this test.· Again he failed a sobriety test.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • But he would never fail to have a meal.
  • He has never failed to acquit a client charged with murder.
  • I can not bear this obscene, grubbing curiosity about the affairs of others, it has never failed to repel me.
  • I have often worked black smokers in Alvin and I never fail to be awed by them.
  • My genius never fails to amaze.
  • They never failed to show up with the black jackets and the sneakers and the Pimp Roll.
  • This mime of his never failed to invoke my deep defensiveness with regard to all things Kip.
► your courage/will/nerve fails (you)
  • I feel I've failed my children by not spending more time with them.
  • I fail to see the humor in this situation.
  • How presumptuous my claims to knowledge based only on what I see, leaving out what I fail to see.
  • However I fail to see firstly what you are trying to prove with your figures.
  • Last year? I failed to see the connection.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • Just look at this mess. Look at it. It's...Words fail me!
  • To get off a train with a total stranger ... I really can not ... well, words fail me.
Word family
WORD FAMILYnounfailfailurefailingadjectivefailedunfailingverbfailadverbunfaillingly
1not succeed [intransitive] to not succeed in achieving something:  It looks likely that the peace talks will fail.fail in He failed in his attempt to regain the world title.fail to do something Doctors failed to save the girl’s life. Millions of people have tried to quit smoking and failed miserably (=been completely unsuccessful). his efforts to save his failing marriage If all else fails, you may be advised to have an operation.2not do something [intransitive] to not do what is expected, needed, or wantedfail to do something The letter failed to arrive. Firms that fail to take advantage of the new technology will go out of business. The government are failing in their duty to protect people.RegisterFail to do something is used mainly in writing and in formal contexts. In everyday English, people usually say do not do something instead: The letter failed to arrive. ➔ The letter didn’t arrive.3exam/test a)[intransitive, transitive] to not pass a test or examination:  I failed my driving test the first time I took it. He failed maths but passed all his other subjects. b)[transitive] to decide that someone has not passed a test or examination:  Her work was so bad that I had no choice but to fail her.4I fail to see/understand formal used to show that you are annoyed by something that you do not accept or understand:  I fail to see why you find it so amusing.5company/business [intransitive] if a company or business fails, it is unable to continue because of a lack of money6machine/body part [intransitive] if a part of a machine or an organ in your body fails, it stops working:  The engine failed on take-off. The hospital said that his kidneys were failing.7health [intransitive] if your sight, memory, health etc is failing, it is gradually getting weaker or is not as good as it was:  Failing eyesight forced him to retire early.8never fail to do something to do something or happen so regularly that people expect it:  My grandson never fails to phone me on my birthday.9your courage/will/nerve fails (you) if your courage etc fails, or if it fails you, you suddenly do not have it when you need it:  She had to leave immediately, before her courage failed her.10fail somebody to not do what someone has trusted you to do SYN  let somebody down:  I feel I’ve failed my children by not spending more time with them.11crops [intransitive] if crops fail, they do not grow or produce food, for example because of bad weather12rains [intransitive] if the rains (=a lot of rain that falls at a particular time each year) fail, they do not come when expected or it does not rain enough → words fail me at word1(29)THESAURUSfail to not succeed – used about people, plans, methods etc: · The plan failed.· They failed to persuade her to change her mind.· This method never fails.go wrong if something you do goes wrong, it fails after starting well: · The experiment went wrong when the chemicals combined to form a poisonous gas.not work if something does not work, it does not do what you want it to do: · The drugs don’t work.· I tried to fix it with glue, but that didn’t work.be unsuccessful /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl◂/ to not have the result you wanted: · His first attempt to get a teaching job was unsuccessful.· The search was unsuccessful.be a failure to be unsuccessful, with the result that you have wasted your efforts: · The government’s 5-year plan to modernize the economy was a complete failure.backfire if a plan or action backfires, it does the opposite of what it was intended to do: · His plan to get attention backfired, and instead of being promoted he lost his job.in vain if you try to do something in vain, you fail to do it: · They tried in vain to save him.· All her efforts had been in vain.
fail1 verbfail2 nounfail3 interjection
failfail2 noun Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • Company failures have led to massive job losses.
  • Investigators traced the cause of the crash to engine failure.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • He believes that if a starter has major-league talent, nothing matters more than taking the ball every five days without fail.
  • He writes every week without fail.
Thesaurus
Longman Language Activatorwhen you do not succeed
· We tried to make her change her mind, but we failed.fail to do something · I failed to convince him that I was right.· Having failed to find her friend, she decided to return home.fail completely · If they were trying to put us out of business, they have failed completely.fail miserably (=fail completely, in a way that is embarrassing) · Millions of people have tried to quit smoking and failed miserably.
when you fail in something you are trying to do: · She never tries anything because she's terrified of failure.· His ability has been called into question after a number of recent failures.failure to do something: · The failure of the international community to deal effectively with the problem has cost thousands of lives.
informal to fail in your job, especially because you do not earn a lot of money or do not become well known and respected: not make it as: · No one was surprised when he didn't make it as a rock star.not make it in: · She soon realized she'd never make it in the cut-throat world of journalism.
to fail after trying hard for a long time: · Unless you compromise, you'll get nowhere.get nowhere with: · Realizing she was getting nowhere with Paul, she approached John.
if all your work, preparation etc is for nothing , you have tried to achieve something and spent a lot of time on it, but failed: · If we don't get the contract all our hard work will have been for nothing.· I don't want to struggle all my life for nothing.
if you tried to do something in vain , or if your efforts were in vain ,you completely failed after a lot of effort: try/search/battle etc in vain: · Doctors tried in vain to save him but he died just before dawn.· Police have spent hours searching in vain for the missing teenager.be in vain: · It took a great deal of courage to admit that all her efforts had been in vain.
British /come up empty-handed American informal fail to find or discover information or a person or thing you are looking for: · Once again police investigators have drawn a blank.· The private detective she hired to look for him had come up empty-handed.
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 have the opposite effect to what was intended
if a plan or action backfires , it is intended to do one thing but instead does the opposite: · His plan to get attention backfired, and instead of being promoted he lost his job.backfire on: · Trying to make your partner jealous by flirting with other people can easily backfire on you.
an action or plan that is self-defeating is not well planned or is badly done, so that it produces the opposite effect from the one intended: · Taxing poor people to pay for hospitals is always self- defeating.· Attempts to stir up nationalistic feeling at such times are bound to be self-defeating.
intended to make something better, but actually making it worse: · Putting very young offenders in prison can be counterproductive.· Constant correction by a teacher is often counterproductive, as the student may become afraid to speak at all.
certain to fail
something that is pointless is unlikely to have a very useful or successful result, so it would be better not to do it or try it: · The argument was completely pointless.· Most people think the project is a pointless waste of money.pointless exercise: · Speculating like that was always a pointless exercise, but he did it nevertheless.it is pointless to do something: · It's pointless to take notes and then never look at them again.it is pointless doing something: · She decided it was pointless trying to work while her mind was on other things.
especially spoken something that is a waste of time is unlikely to achieve any useful result, so you would be wasting your time if you tried to do it: · Many people think that complaining about bad service is a waste of time.a complete/total waste of time: · These meetings are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever gets decided.it is a waste of time doing something: · It's a waste of time going to the doctor - he'll just tell you to get plenty of rest.
spoken say this when you think that it is useless to do something because you will not achieve anything useful by doing it: · "Why don't you try to explain things to him?" "There's no point, he never listens."· I was going to buy a new car, but what's the point when my old one's perfectly all right?there's no point (in) doing something: · There's no point getting a new carpet until the decorating's done.what's the point in/of doing something?: · What's the point of giving a signal when there are no other cars around to see it?
not having any chance at all of succeeding: · Attempts to clean up the environment are doomed unless businesses take a leading role.· Within a few months she realized that her marriage was doomed.doomed to failure: · If you refuse to provide any information to the user, then your computer program is doomed to failure.doomed from the start: · Their business venture was doomed from the start, as they did not have the necessary capital.
something that you try to make successful, although it seems very clear to other people that it cannot succeed: · At first it seemed the attempt to save the species was a lost cause.· The miners' strike of 1984 turned out to be a lost cause.
British an idea or plan that will definitely not be successful: · Everybody would prefer a lower rate of tax, but that that is a non-starter economically.· The project would have been a non-starter without the help of Judith Glyn.
when an event or product is unsuccessful
· The latest model seems likely to be a failure since cheaper versions are now available.be a complete/total failure · It takes a little while for an author to realize that his book has been a complete failure. be a commercial failure (=to not make enough profit) · Her first film was praised by the critics, but was a commercial failure.
to be completely unsuccessful, in a way that makes people feel disappointed and embarrassed: · It was a fiasco! Nobody knew what they were doing and everything went wrong.· The show turned into a fiasco when members of the audience invaded the stage.be a complete/total fiasco: · Lamont's attempts to prop up the pound were a complete fiasco.
if an event, especially a social event, is a disaster , it makes people feel angry, disappointed, or embarrassed, instead of being enjoyable: · Our first date was a disaster.· The whole visit was something of a disaster, and he was still recovering from it months later.be a total/complete disaster: · Even the host would have to admit that the evening had been a complete disaster.
if a situation or event is a shambles , it is completely unsuccessful because it has been very badly planned or organized: · The whole conference was a shambles because half the speakers did not come.· The way this school is run is a shambles.be a complete/total shambles: · Let's hope this year's celebrations aren't a complete shambles like last year's.
if a product, play, or performance flops or is a flop , it is not successful because people do not like it: · The movie flopped and Laughton never got the chance to direct again.· It was just another so-called "wonder product' that flopped when people failed to buy it.· Despite all the publicity, the show was a flop.· It is the public who decide whether a film will be a hit or a flop.
informal if a product, play, or performance bombs , it is not successful because people do not like it: · Although the show was a hit in London it bombed on Broadway.· She has had few offers of work since her last movie bombed so spectacularly.
to fail an exam or test
to not succeed in an examination or test: · Jonathan failed his law exams at the end of the year.· If I fail my driving test again, I'm going to give up.· ''How did you do in accountancy?'' ''I failed''.fail by 2 marks/5% etc: · We expected her to pass easily, but she failed by 15 marks.
especially American, informal to fail an examination or test: · He thought he was going to flunk chemistry, but he got a D.· I flunked, and had to do the test again.
especially American informal to fail a course at college or university and be forced to leave: · You either pass and get your degree or flunk out.flunk out of college/school etc: · It was extremely humiliating to flunk out of law school like that.
American informal to fail very badly: · I bombed the English test yesterday.
when a relationship or marriage fails
· If your marriage fails it can be difficult to make a new start in life.· She was trapped in a failing relationship.
British if a marriage or other relationship goes wrong , or something about it goes wrong ,something happens or changes to make it fail after it had started well: · It was soon after the birth of their first child that their relationship started to go wrong.· Only the two of you know what went wrong.
informal if a marriage is on the rocks , it is in difficulties and likely to fail: · There had been signs that their marriage was on the rocks for years.
when a company, shop, or business fails
· A large number of businesses failed when interest rates rose.· Several thousands of small businesses fail each week.
if a company goes out of business , it stops existing because it is no longer making a profit: · Many small farms are going out of business.be put/forced out of business: · As the recession hit, many traders were forced out of business.
if a business, bank, or company goes under , it fails - used especially in newspapers and business contexts: · When the company went under, some of our workers found positions with Ford.
if a shop, factory, or business closes down, it stops making or selling goods: · If the factory closes down, 600 people will lose their jobs.· Coal mines are closing down all over the country.· Not long ago, the orchestra was the pride of the city. Now it is on the verge of closing down.
British /closing American when a shop, factory, or business fails and closes: · Further factory closures have been announced.closure of: · The closing of the Minton Savings and Loan was a great loss to the town.face/be threatened with closure (=to be going to close down): · Penrhyn is now the largest quarry in the world, yet 5 years ago it faced closure.
informal if a person or company goes bankrupt , they are legally forced to sell their property and possessions to pay their debts: · Her father went bankrupt in 1984.· He bought a small printing firm that had gone bankrupt.· The company went bust last year, owing £12 million.
informal to fail and be unable to continue in business: · Most of the companies dependent on the steelworks folded within weeks.
informal to fail and be unable to continue in business, especially because of difficult economic conditions: · Over 300 small firms have gone to the wall in the past year.· High interest rates will force many businesses to go to the wall.
a time when an economy is not successful
a period when a country's economic growth stops and there is less trade, so that many companies have to reduce the number of workers they employ: · The car industry, like most other industries, is feeling the effects of the recession.severe recession (=very bad recession): · In times of severe recession companies are often forced to make massive job cuts in order to survive.in recession (=suffering from a recession): · The economy is in recession and will remain so for at least another year.
a period when there is a big reduction in trade so that many companies fail and a lot of people lose their jobs: · The post-war slump sent the unemployment figures to twice the expected level.slump in: · The slump in the property market is making it difficult for people to sell their homes.
a period of time continuing for several years when greatly reduced business activity severely affects a country's economic growth, and a lot of people lose their jobs - use this especially when this affects many countries across the world: · In Germany the depression in the late 1920s helped Hitler's rise to power.· Hartnell blamed his financial difficulties on the worldwide depression.
a sudden and unexpected fall in the value of shares in companies, with the result that many companies have to close and a lot of people lose their jobs: · Luckily, I sold my shares just before the crash.· The Wall Street Crash was disastrous for many American businessmen.stock market crash (=crash in the organizations that buy and sell shares in companies): · The stock market crash made me suspicious of those types of insurance schemes.
when someone always does something or something always happens
· I always say my prayers before I go to bed.· She was always ready to listen to my problems.· Why do you always blame me for everything?· He always has sandwiches for his lunch.· My dad's always telling me I should get my hair cut.almost always · My brother is almost always late.
on every occasion - use this to say that when one thing happens, something else always happens: · My neck hurts every time I turn my head.· Every time we talk about money, we get into an argument.· It seems like every time I play basketball, I get hurt.
every time that something happens: · He calls Nancy whenever he's in town.· Feel free to use my computer whenever you need to.whenever possible (=whenever you can): · I try to use public transport whenever possible.
: every day/week/Monday etc use this to say that something happens regularly on each day, each week etc: · Thousands of tourists visit Spain every year.· We go to the movies almost every Saturday night.· Every year on her birthday, Jackie throws a big party at the Vineyard House.
: every day/week/year etc without fail if you do something without fail you always do it: · My mother goes to church every week without fail.· You must take the medication every day without fail.
WORD SETS
absenteeism, nounacademic, adjectiveacademy, nounadult education, nounalma mater, nounassessment, nounassessor, nounassignment, nounaudiovisual, adjectiveAV, binder, nounbiology, nounblackboard, nounbursary, nounbusiness studies, nounCAL, nounCALL, nouncareer counselor, nouncareers officer, nouncase study, nounCDT, nouncert., certificate, nouncertificated, adjectivechalkboard, nouncharm school, nounchemistry set, nouncivics, nounclass, nounclassicist, nounclassmate, nouncloze test, nouncoach, nouncoeducation, nouncollege, nouncollegiate, adjectivecommon room, nouncomprehension, nouncomprehensive, adjectivecomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer science, nouncontinuing education, nouncorrespondence course, nouncoursebook, nouncoursework, nouncrash course, nouncredit, nouncrib, verbcross, nouncurriculum, nounD, noundiploma, noundirect method, nounDirector of Studies, noundissect, verbdistance learning, noundistinction, noundo, verbdropout, noundyslexia, nounedify, verbedifying, adjectiveeducate, verbeducational, adjectiveeducationalist, nouneducator, nounEFL, nounELT, nounESL, nounESOL, nounESP, nounessay, nounevening class, nounexam, nounexamination, nounexamine, verbexercise, nounexercise book, nounexternal, adjectiveextracurricular, adjectiveF, fail, nounfellowship, nounfield, nounfield day, nounfield trip, nounfieldwork, nounflashcard, nounflip chart, nounflunk, verbfree period, nounfresher, nounfreshman, nounfurther education, nounglobe, noungoverness, noungrade, verbgraded, adjectivegrade point average, noungrind, nounheuristic, adjectivehistory, nounimmersion, nounineducable, adjectiveinfirmary, nounintake, nounintelligence quotient, nouninterdisciplinary, adjectiveintroductory, adjectiveinvigilate, verbIQ, nounjanitor, nounlearning curve, nounlesson, nounletter, nounletter, verbliberal arts, nounlibrarian, nounlibrary, nounlife science, nounmainstream, adjectivemasterclass, nounmatron, nounmedia studies, nounmnemonic, nounmoderate, verbmoderator, nounmodular, adjectivemodule, nounmultiple choice, adjectivenight school, nounnumerate, adjectiveopen house, nounoral, nounoverqualified, adjectivepapier mâché, nounpass, verbpass, nounpastoral, adjectivepedagogical, adjectivepedagogue, nounpedagogy, nounphonics, nounphrasebook, nounphysical education, nounpicture book, nounplacement, nounplaytime, nounpoli sci, nounpolitical science, nounpolitics, nounprincipal, nounprize day, nounproblem, nounproctor, nounprogrammed learning, nounprotégé, nounquad, nounqualification, nounqualify, verbquick, adjectiverector, nounre-educate, verbrefectory, nounreference, nounreference library, nounrequirement, nounresearch, nounresearch, verbresit, verbresource, nounresult, nounresume, nounretake, verbretake, nounreunion, nounreview, verbrevise, verbrevision, nounrole-play, nounrote, nounscholar, nounscholarship, nounscholastic, adjectiveschool, nounscience, nounscript, nounself-taught, adjectiveset, verbspeciality, nounspelling bee, nounstandard, adjectivestate school, nounstudent body, nounstudent government, nounstudent loan, nounstudent teaching, nounstudent union, nounstudy, verbstudy hall, nounsub, nounsummer holidays, nounsummer vacation, nounsuperintendent, nounteacher, nounteaching, nountechie, nounterm, nounterm paper, nounTESL, nounTESOL, nountext, nountextbook, nountick, nountick, verbtimetable, nountimetable, verbtranscript, nountrimester, nountruancy, nountuition, nountutor, nountutor, verbunderclassman, noununit, noununseen, nounvisual aid, nounvocational, adjectivewhiteboard, nounworkbook, nounworksheet, nounX, nounyearbook, noun
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· 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.
(=do not work when you use them)· Going down the mountain I was afraid the brakes might fail.
(=stops operating)· 35% of small businesses fail in the first year of operation.
(=goes bankrupt)· His audio equipment company failed in the mid 1980s.
(=one that did not succeed)· There was an attempted coup against Togo’s military dictator.
(=is not great enough to do something)· I was going to jump but my courage failed at the last moment.
· If you pass the course, you get a diploma in psychology.
(=does not grow or produce food properly)· The drought meant the crops failed and food was scarce.
(=not do something that you should do)· I would be failing in my duty if I didn't warn you of the dangers.
· If you fail the exam, you can retake it.
· Michael had never yet failed an examination.
· In his later years, he suffered from failing eyesight.
· He's over 80 now, and his eyesight is beginning to fail.
(=there are no crops or only poor crops)· The potato harvest failed that year.
(=when someone is becoming more ill)· Despite failing health, he travelled to Australia to visit his son.
· He couldn’t join the army because he failed the medical inspection.
· After two failed marriages, she was not willing to risk marrying again.
 The money we had been promised failed to materialize.
(=deliberately not mention something)· I omitted to mention that I had not been to university.
(=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)· At the last moment, her nerve failed her.
 I’m trying to persuade your dad to buy some shares.
(=becoming less good)· Mark felt that his creative powers were waning.
(=becoming worse)· He ran the business until failing sight forced him to retire.
(=gets much worse)· He was in his seventies when his sight began to fail.
 The government has signally failed to deal with the problem.
· If your immune system breaks down, you will be vulnerable to infections.
· An alarm sounds a warning before the system breaks down.
(also flunk a test American English informal)· He failed the test and had to take it again.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • Danny comes over every Sunday without fail.
  • I want that work finished by tomorrow, without fail!
  • My mother goes to church every week without fail.
  • You must take the medication every day without fail.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • Just look at this mess. Look at it. It's...Words fail me!
  • To get off a train with a total stranger ... I really can not ... well, words fail me.
Word family
WORD FAMILYnounfailfailurefailingadjectivefailedunfailingverbfailadverbunfaillingly
1without fail a)if you do something without fail, you always do it:  Tim visits his mother every day without fail. b)used to tell someone very firmly that they must do something:  I want that work finished by tomorrow, without fail!2[countable] an unsuccessful result in a test or examination OPP  pass:  I got a fail in history.3[countable] informal an occasion when someone is not successful or does something badly:  My parenting has included some spectacular fails.
fail1 verbfail2 nounfail3 interjection
failfail3 interjection informal Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· 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.
(=do not work when you use them)· Going down the mountain I was afraid the brakes might fail.
(=stops operating)· 35% of small businesses fail in the first year of operation.
(=goes bankrupt)· His audio equipment company failed in the mid 1980s.
(=one that did not succeed)· There was an attempted coup against Togo’s military dictator.
(=is not great enough to do something)· I was going to jump but my courage failed at the last moment.
· If you pass the course, you get a diploma in psychology.
(=does not grow or produce food properly)· The drought meant the crops failed and food was scarce.
(=not do something that you should do)· I would be failing in my duty if I didn't warn you of the dangers.
· If you fail the exam, you can retake it.
· Michael had never yet failed an examination.
· In his later years, he suffered from failing eyesight.
· He's over 80 now, and his eyesight is beginning to fail.
(=there are no crops or only poor crops)· The potato harvest failed that year.
(=when someone is becoming more ill)· Despite failing health, he travelled to Australia to visit his son.
· He couldn’t join the army because he failed the medical inspection.
· After two failed marriages, she was not willing to risk marrying again.
 The money we had been promised failed to materialize.
(=deliberately not mention something)· I omitted to mention that I had not been to university.
(=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)· At the last moment, her nerve failed her.
 I’m trying to persuade your dad to buy some shares.
(=becoming less good)· Mark felt that his creative powers were waning.
(=becoming worse)· He ran the business until failing sight forced him to retire.
(=gets much worse)· He was in his seventies when his sight began to fail.
 The government has signally failed to deal with the problem.
· If your immune system breaks down, you will be vulnerable to infections.
· An alarm sounds a warning before the system breaks down.
(also flunk a test American English informal)· He failed the test and had to take it again.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • Just look at this mess. Look at it. It's...Words fail me!
  • To get off a train with a total stranger ... I really can not ... well, words fail me.
 used for saying that someone has failed or done something badly
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更新时间：2024/11/10 10:26:10