(of a business) To go bankrupt
… more ▼
▲
To fail, especially in spectacular fashion
“My attempts to make it as a professional musician would ultimately fail.”
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.”
To let someone down by abandoning or neglecting them
“My father says that he will never fail us regardless of what happens.”
To stop operating
“The machine would fail after one of our staff accidentally spilled coffee onto its internal components.”
To deteriorate or go into decline, especially physically
“My health was beginning to fail, and I knew that changes to my lifestyle were necessary.”
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) 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) To be insufficient when needed or expected
“An expert on agriculture warns that crops will fail if salt impregnates the soil.”
Related Words and Phrases
|
