fail (redirected from failed)

something never fails

a particular thing always works. My old folk remedy for hiccups never fails.

See also: never

fail someone on something

to give someone an unsatisfactory grade on an assignment or test. She failed us all on the math assignment. The teacher failed half the class on the assignment.

fail in something

to have not earned passing or satisfactory grades in some school subject. George is failing in geometry. I hope I do not fail in math.

without fail

for certain; absolutely. I'll be there at noon without fail. The plane leaves on time every day without fail.

See also: without

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if all else fails

if you decide that you will do something if all else fails, you decide that that is what you will do if none of your ideas or plans succeed Well, if all else fails you'll just have to get a part-time job to earn a bit of extra money.

See also: else, if

without fail 

1. if something happens without fail, it always happens Every Tuesday afternoon, without fail, Helga went to visit her father.

2. something that you say in order to emphasize that something will be done or will happen 'You will meet me at the airport, won't you?' 'Don't worry, I'll be there without fail.'

See also: without

Words fail me!

something that you say when you are so surprised or shocked by something that you do not know what to say about it 'So what do you think about that purple outfit Olive's wearing?' 'Words fail me!'

See mark my words, have to eat words, mince words

See also: Word

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if all else fails

if nothing succeeds Miki spoke a little English, I used a lot of hand signals, and if all else failed, we would look in a phrase book.

See also: else, if

if all else fails

if nothing succeeds If all else fails, we can always spend the weekend at home. You should try to discuss this with your employer, but if all else fails, you need to speak to a lawyer.

See also: else, if

without fail

certain to happen Sarah sends me a card on my birthday without fail.

See also: without