day in, day out, every day without fail
A phrase used to describe something that happens routinely or regularly. Day in, day out, every day without fail, I pass that same woman walking her dog. My mom started driving us to school because we would miss the bus day in, day out, every day without fail. I have no interest in hearing her play the victim and whine about how everybody's done her wrong day in, day out, every day without fail.
epic fail
An especially big or embarrassing blunder. I can't believe I called the CEO by the wrong name! What an epic fail. I tried to bake a cake for my sister's birthday, but I accidentally used salt instead of sugar. Epic fail. A: "Guess what? I was telling Tyler I have a crush on Caroline, and then I turned around, and she was standing right behind us. Mortifying." B: "Ugh, epic fail."
fail
1. An exclamation, perhaps of annoyance or frustration, when something has gone wrong. I called him Mark, but apparently his name is Steven. Ugh, fail! I tried to bake a cake for my sister's birthday, but I accidentally used salt instead of sugar. Fail. A: "Guess what? I was telling Tyler I have a crush on Caroline, and then I turned around, and she was standing right behind us. Mortifying." B: "Ugh, epic fail."
2. noun A mistake or blunder. Something that has gone wrong. I called him Mark, but apparently his name is Steven! What a fail. You're the one who messed up the PR packages? Man, that's a big fail. A: "You wrote 2 +2 = 5." B: "Did I really? Well, that's a fail, clearly."
fail (someone) on (something)
To give someone a failing grade on a school assignment. You clearly put zero effort into this essay—that's why I failed you on it. If you want your students to actually listen to you, start failing them on late assignments. Mr. Miller will fail you on your homework if you don't hand it in!
fail at life
slang To fail in a way that is exaggeratedly likened to one's entire life being a failure. I can't believe I blew my audition! Ugh, I fail at life. I overheard you struggling to ask Kim to the prom, and, yeah, you fail at life, dude. Ugh, I was telling Tyler I have a crush on Caroline, and then I turned around, and she was standing right behind us. Mortifying. I fail at life.
fail in (something)
1. To not have high enough grades to pass a particular class. My parents got my report card and grounded me because I'm failing in two classes. I had to start going to the tutoring center so that I didn't fail in Algebra this semester. I can't believe you failed in art class! Did you turn in any projects at all?
2. To not award a student a passing grade in a particular class. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fail" and "in." I failed you in biology because you missed so many classes this semester. You clearly put zero effort into this essay—that's why I failed you in this unit. Well, you have no grasp on energy, gravity, acceleration, or any of the other basics of physics—that's why I failed you in it!
3. To not be successful in an attempt to do something. So far, I've failed in my efforts to find an internship for the summer. Both of my kids have been arrested this year. Ugh, I feel like I failed in parenting them. I failed in my attempt to bake a cake for my sister's birthday when I accidentally used salt instead of sugar.
fail of success
To not reach a goal or accomplishment. I know you worked hard on the fundraiser, so I'm really sorry to hear that you failed of success. After not making the team last year, I'm really hoping I don't fail of success this time around. It's good to have goals, but you also can't be devastated when you fail of success. Failure is just part of life.
fail out
To have to leave a school or university because one does not have passing grades. One B won't kill you—it's not like you're going to fail out of college or something. I can't tell my parents that I'm about to fail out of college—they'll be so disappointed! I'm not proud that I failed out of high school because I was too busy hanging out with my idiot friends. Actually, it's one of my biggest regrets in life.
fail over
In a computer system, to switch automatically to a spare, backup, or alternative component when another one fails. We've put new protocols in place to ensure that the computer will fail over to functioning memory blocks in the event of a critical error. The system cannot be down for this long a period of time. Why didn't it fail over to the backup? Can we configure my computer to fail over to another power supply in times like this? I'm sick of losing work all the time.
fail the smell test
To be morally questionable, unacceptable, or untrustworthy. The new pro-drilling bill that's being put through Congress certainly fails the smell test, and many are suspicious that Big Oil has been responsible for its inception. He's a lawyer—why are you surprised that he's issuing statements that fail the smell test? A: "Rick said he was home last night at 9:00. Wait, you think that fails the smell test?" B: "Yeah, because Rick was out with me at 9:00 last night!"
fail to see
To be incapable of understanding or unwilling to accept something. Mary, I fail to see what your fear of spiders has to do with your unwillingness to go on this trip. Congressman, I fail to see how your opponent, as you claim, is in any way responsible for the economic slump in your state. Your grades are down, you've been talking back to me, yeah, I really fail to see any reason to let you go to the homecoming dance.
fall at the final hurdle
To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very end of the attempt. Negotiations between the two warring countries fell at the final hurdle due to disagreements over cross-border taxation. Ugh, how am I going to tell the boss that the merger fell at the final hurdle? This is very disappointing, Jones. We were counting on you to secure this account, and you fell at the final hurdle.
fall at the first hurdle
To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very beginning of the attempt. John had his business plan all laid out, but he fell at the first hurdle when the bank refused to grant him a loan. OK, so you fell at the first hurdle. Don't let these investors' lack of interest deter you from promoting your product! This is very disappointing, Jones. We were counting on you to secure this account, not fall at the first hurdle.
fall at the last hurdle
To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very end of the attempt. Negotiations between the two warring countries fell at the last hurdle due to disagreements over cross-border taxation. Ugh, how am I going to tell the boss that the merger fell at the last hurdle? This is very disappointing, Jones. We were counting on you to secure this account, and you fell at the last hurdle.
he who fails to prepare prepares to fail
proverb When there is a lack of adequate preparation, failure becomes more likely. Your test is on Friday, but I highly suggest you start studying for it now. He who fails to prepare prepares to fail. Of course I made an itinerary for our trip—how else would we fit everything in? He who fails to prepare prepares to fail. I always told my kids, "He who fails to prepare prepares to fail," but only one of them really seemed to internalize it. The rest of the bunch are perpetually late and disorganized!
if all else fails
If all other options and plans are unsuccessful. The phrase is used to indicate what the last resort will be. If all else fails, we can always order pizza. A: "Will we have to do it manually?" B: "Only if all else fails." If all else fails, I'll call my mom and see if she can lend us some money.
never fails
Is always effective; always does what's desired or intended. If none of these things resolve the issue, turning your computer on and off again never fails. I'm telling you, drink this—it never fails to get rid of a hangover.
red-face test
A hypothetical test meant to measure whether or not some question or thing provokes discernible embarrassment, discomfiture, or displeasure in a person. The old red-face test is a simple but subtle way of telling which employees are the most honest and work the hardest. Well, my proposal didn't pass the red-face test with the boss. I guess we can kiss that idea goodbye.
without fail
Said of something that happens regularly and predictably with no deviations. I have passed the same woman walking her dog every day without fail for five years—but today she wasn't there. I'm really worried about her!
words fail (one)
One is too surprised, upset, or intensely emotional to articulate one's thoughts or sentiments coherently. I really wanted to convey how much it meant to me to have my entire family there, but words failed me. And to think that you would risk your whole future by drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car—well, words fail me! A: "Words failed us when we found out Jane was pregnant." B: "Same here. She and her boyfriend have only been back together for about five minutes!"
words fail me
I'm unable to articulate or express myself because I'm too surprised, upset, or intensely emotional. I wish I could convey how much it means to me having you all here, but words fail me at the moment. And to think that you would risk your whole future by drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car—well, words fail me!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.