fail
Translation
to be unsuccessful, to not pass a test, to stop working, to neglect
Examples
He failed his driving test again.
He failed his driving test again.
The brakes on the car failed.
The brakes on the car failed.
She felt she had failed her children.
She felt she had failed her children.
He failed to arrive on time.
He failed to arrive on time.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to not pass a test He failed his driving test again.
((no object)) to stop working correctly The brakes on the car failed.
((sb.)) to not give sb. the help and support they need She felt she had failed her children.
((to-inf)) to not do sth. that you should do He failed to arrive on time.
Similar Words
Synonyms: be unsuccessful, founder, collapse; Antonyms: succeed, pass, work
Etymology
From Old French 'faillir', meaning 'to fail, to be lacking'.
Memory Tips
If you 'fail' an exam, you might feel 'fall'-en. The words sound similar.