scheitern
Translation
failed, foundered, miscarried
Examples
Der Plan scheiterte.
The plan failed.
Er scheiterte an der schweren Aufgabe.
He failed at the difficult task.
Die Verhandlungen sind gescheitert.
The negotiations have failed.
Grammar Patterns
to fail ((at/because of sth.dat)) Er scheiterte an der Prüfung.
to fail Der Plan ist leider gescheitert.
Similar Words
Synonyms: misslingen, fehlschlagen (to fail); Antonyms: gelingen, Erfolg haben (to succeed)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'schītern' (to be smashed to pieces), related to 'Scheit' (log, piece of wood). Originally meant 'to break into pieces like wood'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a ship ('Schiff') hitting a rock and breaking into pieces ('Scheiter'), thus 'failing' its journey.