fail

Universal Words verb, noun verb not succeed 1 ~ (in sth) to not be successful in achieving sth: [V] I failed in my attempt to persuade her. * Many diets fail because they are boring. * a failing school * [Vtoinf] She failed to get into art college. * The song can't fail to be a hit (= definitely will be a hit). not do sth 2 to not do sth: [Vtoinf] He failed to keep the appointment. * She never fails to e-mail every week. * I fail to see (= I don't understand) why you won't even give it a try. * [V] He felt he would be failing in his duty if he did not report it. test / exam 3 to not pass a test or an exam; to decide that sb/sth has not passed a test or an exam: [VN] He failed his driving test. * The examiners failed over half the candidates. * She was disqualified after failing a drugs test. * [V] What will you do if you fail? OPPPASS of machines / parts of body 4 [V] to stop working: The brakes on my bike failed half way down the hill. of health / sight 5 [V] (especially in the progressive tenses) to become weak: Her eyesight is failing. * His last months in office were marred by failing health. disappoint sb 6 [VN] to DISAPPOINT sb; to be unable to help when needed: When he lost his job, he felt he had failed his family. * She tried to be brave, but her courage failed her. * (figurative) Words fail me (= I cannot express how I feel). not be enough 7 [V] to not be enough when needed or expected: The crops failed again last summer. * The rains had failed and the rivers were dry. of company / business 8 [V] to be unable to continue: Several banks failed during the recession. noun the result of an exam in which a person is not successful: I got three passes and one fail. IDIOMS without fail 1 when you tell sb to do sth without fail, you are telling them that they must do it: I want you here by two o'clock without fail. 2 always: He writes every week without fail.