abysmal failure
Failure that is total and extreme in measure or implication. The business was an abysmal failure, and everyone was out of a job within a month. Well, I forgot everything I had rehearsed and just stood on stage sweating, so you could say my campaign speech was an abysmal failure! The whole investigation ended up being an abysmal failure once the judge ruled our evidence was inadmissible in court.
destined for (something)
Likely to do, receive, or become something in the future. We knew that Sean was destined for greatness the moment he stepped on the stage in his first play. If you didn't study for your exam, then you are destined for failure. If you ask me, that boy is destined for trouble if he keeps hanging out with such a rough crowd.
failure teaches success
proverb Failure gives one the opportunity to learn and improve in a positive way. I know you're bummed that the experiment didn't work, but let's try again. Failure teaches success after all, and now we know what not to do. I'm a big believer that failure teaches success, so we can't give up now! I keep telling myself that failure teaches success, but I'm on prototype number 85 now! I sure hope success is on the way!
failure to launch
A psychological difficulty or inability of a young person to transition successfully into being an independent, self-reliant adult. Often used in the phrase "failure to launch syndrome." We create a bit of a paradox for our kids. We want to do everything we can to ensure they are well provided for and have happy lives, but this level of pampering often leads to a failure to launch when they are old enough to leave the house and set off on their own. A: "Our daughter just doesn't want to do anything for herself. She doesn't want to go to college, won't look for a job, and has shown no interest in moving out of our house." B: "It sounds like classic failure to launch syndrome to me." Jenny has always struggled mightily with anxiety and perfectionism—don't you think those might be factors in her failure to launch?
failure to thrive
A medical term used to describe an infant or young child who has experienced delays in physical growth, for a variety of possible reasons. I'm a bit concerned about little Howie's failure to thrive, so I want you to bring him back the office next week for further examination. A: "Hmm, Susie's not maintaining weight the way she should be." B: "Doctor, do you think it's a failure to thrive?" I wonder if Amy has a failure to thrive because she's not latching well onto her mother, thus limiting the effectiveness of breastfeeding.
give (one) heart failure
To shock, frighten, or upset someone suddenly and to an extreme degree. Often used with "nearly," "almost," or some similar modifier. Adrian almost gave his parents heart failure when he told them he was dropping out of college. You about gave me heart failure, sneaking up on me like that! When I awoke to a giant spider crawling across my ceiling, it just about gave me heart failure.
have heart failure
To be shocked, frightened, or upset suddenly and to an extreme degree. Often used with "nearly," "almost," or some similar modifier. Adrian's parents almost had heart failure when he told them he was dropping out of college. I just about had heart failure when you snuck up on me like that! When I awoke to a giant spider crawling across my ceiling, I just about had heart failure.
success has many fathers, failure is an orphan
People are quick to associate themselves with successful ventures and distance themselves from failures. A: "All the people who were so excited about this project in the beginning now act like they've never even heard of it." B: "Well, success has many fathers, failure is an orphan."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.