fail*/*/*/

[feɪl] verb I

1) [I] to be unsuccessful

Ant:

succeed

It looks as if the negotiations are going to fail.[/ex]

He failed in his attempt to get compensation.[/ex]

They have failed to think of any practical solutions.[/ex]

2) [I] to not do something that people expect you to do

He failed to come home at the usual time.[/ex]

3) [I/T] to not achieve a satisfactory standard in a test, or to decide that someone or something has not achieved a satisfactory standard

Ant:

pass

The new plane failed a safety test.[/ex]

Examiners failed nearly 30% of the candidates.[/ex]

4) [I] to stop working, developing, or existing

The brakes failed and the van crashed into a tree.[/ex]

He is old now and his health is starting to fail.[/ex]

If interest rates go up, more small businesses will fail.[/ex]

5) [T] if a quality or ability fails you, you suddenly lose it when you need it

At the last minute, her courage failed her.[/ex]

•

if all else fails — used for saying that, if other methods do not succeed, there is one last thing that you can try to do[/ex]

II

noun [C] British

fail [feɪl]

a result that shows that someone or something has not achieved a satisfactory standard

Ant:

pass

•

without fail — used for emphasizing that something always happens in the same way or at the same time[/ex]