Skip to main content
abyss of failure

abyss of failure

8.6
A very deep feeling that you cannot succeed and have no hope
  • noun
translation icon : abismo de fracaso
  • Repeated setbacks pushed her dangerously close to an abyss of failure.

Examples

  • The novel's protagonist struggles to escape his abyss of failure and find redemption.

  • The team fell into an abyss of failure after several losses.

  • After the company's bankruptcy, many employees felt trapped in an abyss of failure.

  • He found himself in an abyss of failure after losing his job.

  • After the company's bankruptcy, many employees felt trapped in an abyss of failure.

  • Repeated setbacks pushed her dangerously close to an abyss of failure.

  • He found himself in an abyss of failure after losing his job.

Synonyms

despair
vsabyss of failure
210 3.5

A complete loss of hope

is the same lack of hope but with extreme depth and defeat
abyss
vsabyss of failure
79 7.4

A very deep, bottomless hole that feels impossible to reach

uses that deep image to show extreme inner defeat and despair
sinking ship
vsabyss of failure
  • Informal
10 4.8

A project or organization that is failing and likely to collapse

focuses on an inner, very deep state of defeat rather than the situation
pit of despair
vsabyss of failure
  • Informal
2 9.0

A very deep feeling of sadness with no hope

is deeper and ties that sadness to profound defeat
slough of despond
vsabyss of failure
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A deep sadness that lasts a long time and is hard to escape

stresses extreme defeat as well as being trapped in sadness
complete and utter disaster
vsabyss of failure
1 3.7

A situation that is a total failure causing big problems

is about a prolonged inner experience of extreme defeat and despair
blackness of despair
vsabyss of failure
  • Literature
8.0

A very strong feeling that nothing will get better and you have no hope

is more about very deep defeat combined with that hopeless feeling

Antonyms

1.0

Getting what you want after working hard

262 3.3

A great victory or success that brings joy

How Severe

abyss of failure
8.6
disaster
1.0
failure
557 1.3
setback
148 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

abyss + of + failure

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'abyss' (a profound void or chasm) combined with 'failure' yields the image of a very deep or extreme state of failure. The structure noun + of + noun is a standard compositional pattern and, although metaphorical, the extension is straightforward and likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows the component words.

Etymology

Abyss of failure comes from the image of a very deep, dark hole called an abyss, where someone can fall and be lost. So being in an abyss of failure means being trapped in a very deep state of 'failure' or 'despair' and finding it hard to climb out.