scheitern
Translation
failed, foundered, miscarried
Examples
Der Plan scheiterte.
The plan failed.
Er scheiterte an der schweren Aufgabe.
He failed the difficult task.
Die Verhandlungen sind gescheitert.
The negotiations have failed.
Grammar Patterns
to fail ((at/because of sth.dat)) He failed the exam.
to fail The plan unfortunately failed.
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
Picture a ship ('Schiff') hitting a rock and breaking into pieces ('Scheiter'), thus 'failing' its journey.