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.
