to fail

Examples

• All

• Rotator cuff tears are frequently managed nonoperatively; however, when conservative management fails, surgery is indicated.

  Academic text (2017)

• When the power goes out and these modern conveniences fail, Americans are incapacitated.

  Academic text (2008)

• Well, they say that it's failed, that it's not working.

• You know, the system failed you, just like it failed me.

  Merchant Ivory (2024)

• See, once the engines failed, the original route of the ship changed.

  Joey & Rex Save the Church (2022)

• I admit it, the plan failed.

  Madagascar (2005)

• Preliminary readings have failed to identify the nature of the material.

  Camp Daze (2005)

• This stretcher has failed and must now be replaced.

• We identify reasons that sensors fail and how these failures can be minimized or avoided.

  Academic text (2013)

• The old computer failed during the presentation, causing all the slides to disappear.

Synonyms

D

to die

vsto fail

498 4.6

To stop working, often suddenly

is the general idea of stopping without implying permanence

B

to break down

vsto fail

194 3.2

To stop working because of a problem

is the basic idea of stopping to work rather than collapse

G

to go down

vsto fail

187 3.4

To stop working for a short time

is the general stop that can be temporary or permanent

C

to crash

vsto fail

• Specialized

156 3.2

To stop working suddenly, especially for a computer or program

is a general stoppage not limited to sudden computer crashes

M

to malfunction

vsto fail

72 4.2

To stop working correctly, as a machine or device

is the general stopping of operation rather than wrong functioning

G

to give out

vsto fail

57 4.1

To stop working or run out so nothing is left

is about stopping operation rather than being exhausted or spent

C

to cut out

vsto fail

45 4.1

To stop working suddenly

is the broader concept of work stopping, not only sudden cuts

G

to go bad

vsto fail

• US

33 3.5

Stop working and need repair

is the plain stopping of operation without implying deterioration

C

to conk out

vsto fail

• Informal

7 8.1

To stop working suddenly or to fall asleep because of tiredness

is the neutral term for stopping rather than casual sudden failure

P

to panic

vsto fail

• Specialized

1 8.2

When a program finds a big problem it stops and will not work

is the ordinary stopping of operation, not the technical abort reaction

F

to fritz

vsto fail

• Informal

1 8.0

To stop working properly, often about machines

is the neutral description without informal or slang tone

A

to abend

vsto fail

• Specialized

9.6

To stop a computer program suddenly because of an error

is the wider notion of stopping that applies beyond computing errors

Antonyms

P

to perform

∞ 1.3

To do a task or duty

F

to function

441 2.6

To work in a particular role or job

Idioms

W

words fail (someone)

7.6

To feel so surprised or moved that you cannot find words to say

W

to words fail you

7.4

To be unable to say anything because you feel very surprised or moved

Phrasal Verbs

N

to never fail to

14 2.7

Always make the same thing happen

F

to fail to impress

2 4.1

Not make people think something is good or special

N

to never fail to amuse

1 3.5

To always make people laugh

Compounds

F

fail-safe

• Specialized

11 5.0

A device or system that makes a machine go to a safe state if it breaks

F

fail-safe

• Specialized

3 5.6

Designed to work safely if something goes wrong

How Functional

to operate

506 2.8

to function

441 2.6

to fail

370 2.2

Surface Forms

Etymology