(of a game or contest) To have failed to win
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Not successful or having been foiled
“In describing the failed assault on Port Hudson, Banks had nothing but praise for the Native Guards.”
Not producing any significant or desired effect
Defeated of expectation or hope
Legally insolvent, unable to pay one's debts
Sad or displeased because of unfulfilled hopes or expectations
Unable to fully realise one's ambitions
No longer capable, effective or needed
Faulty or not meeting acceptable standards or use
(of a game or contest) To have failed to win
Past tense for to fail, especially in spectacular fashion
“My attempts to make it as a professional musician would ultimately fail.”
Past tense for to let someone down, especially with regards to an obligation or duty
“His promise to his father to look after his family and provide for them rang through his mind. He had failed to protect Virginia. He would not fail his family.”
Past tense for to let someone down by abandoning or neglecting them
“My father says that he will never fail us regardless of what happens.”
Past tense for to stop operating
“The machine would fail after one of our staff accidentally spilled coffee onto its internal components.”
Past tense for to deteriorate or go into decline, especially physically
“My health was beginning to fail, and I knew that changes to my lifestyle were necessary.”
Past tense for to become weaker or of poorer quality
“Power from the batteries would gradually fail, and my remote control would eventually be unresponsive.”
(of a business) Past tense for to go bankrupt
“The sad fact is that one out of four businesses will fail within their first year of operation.”
(of rain, a crop or supply) Past tense for to be insufficient when needed or expected
“An expert on agriculture warns that crops will fail if salt impregnates the soil.”
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