fail
verb uk/feɪl/ us/feɪl/
(NOT SUCCEED)
B2 [ I ]失败；未能做到
to not succeed in what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do
She moved to London in the hope of finding work as a model, but failed. 她搬到伦敦，希望找做模特的工作，但没找到。
This method of growing tomatoes never fails. 这种种植西红柿的方法屡试不爽。
He failed in his attempt to break the record. 他未能打破纪录。
[ + to infinitive ] She failed to reach the Wimbledon Final this year. 今年她未能进入温布尔登网球赛决赛。
The reluctance of either side to compromise means that the talks are doomed to (= will certainly) fail. 双方均不愿让步意味着会谈注定要失败。
if all else fails 如果计划均告失败
if none of our plans succeed
If all else fails, we can always stay in and watch TV. 如果其他的都行不通，我们总是可以呆在家里看电视。
If all else fails, you will have to take legal action.
He has a backup battery and a generator for his respirator, but always stays within reach of friends who can get him to a hospital if all else fails.
We're doing everything we can to protect our home from the storm, but if all else fails, we can go to a nearby hotel.
If all else fails, we can't rule out military action.
- More examples
- If you fail these exams, you can resit them next year.
- It doesn't matter if you fail, just do your best.
- I shudder to think what my parents will say when I tell them I've failed my exams.
- Agricultural companies have failed to convince consumers that GM foods are safe.
- If this project fails it will affect not only our department, but also the whole organization.
(EXAM)
A2 [ I or T ]（使）不及格;（使）未能通过（考试）
to be unsuccessful, or to judge that someone has been unsuccessful, in a test or exam
UK I passed in history but failed in chemistry. 我通过了历史考试，但化学考试没及格。
US I passed history but failed chemistry. 我通过了历史考试，但化学考试没及格。
A lot of people fail their driving test the first time. 许多人首次驾驶执照考试都通不过。
She was sure she was going to fail. 她肯定自己考试通不过。
The examiners failed him because he hadn't answered enough questions. 主考人给了他不及格，因为他没有答够规定的题数。
- More examples
- He's dreading his driving test - he's sure he's going to fail.
- Just because you wrote one bad essay, it doesn't mean you're going to fail your exam.
- If you fail these exams, you can resit them next year.
- I'm not surprised he failed his exam - he didn't exactly try very hard!
- She knew that by failing her exams she could jeopardize her whole future.
(NOT DO)
B2 [ I ]未做；未履行
to not do something that you should do
[ + to infinitive ] He failed to arrive on time. 他未能准时到达。
The staff had been promised a rise, but the money failed to (= did not) materialize. 员工们得到加薪的承诺，可是钱却没有到位。
You couldn't fail to be (= it is impossible that you would not be) affected by the movie. 你不可能不被这部影片打动。
I'd be failing in my duty if I didn't tell you about the risks involved in the project. 我如果不把这个项目涉及的风险告诉你，就是失职
fail to see/understandC2 不明白，不理解
used when you do not accept something
I fail to see why you can't work on a Saturday. 我不懂为什么你星期六不能工作。
I fail to see the appeal of these highly expensive products.
I fail to see why it's necessary to cut down these beautiful trees.
What I fail to understand is why her actions upset you so much.
The matter seems quite simple to me and I fail to understand why it is proving so hard to resolve.
- More examples
- He has failed to fulfil his duties as a father.
- The guards failed to observe who delivered the package.
- Man's inhumanity to man never fails to shock me.
- Wages are failing to keep up with inflation.
- The police pulled him over for failing to stop at a red traffic light.
(STOP)
B2 [ I ]变弱；衰退；失灵
to become weaker or stop working completely
If my eyesight fails, I'll have to stop doing this job. 如果视力衰退，我就得放弃这份工作。
The brakes failed and the car crashed into a tree. 刹车失灵，汽车撞到了树上。
After talking non-stop for two hours, her voice started to fail. 滔滔不绝地讲了两个钟头之后，她的声音开始嘶哑了。
The old man was failing fast (= he was dying). 老人奄奄一息。
[ I ]（公司）倒闭，破产
If a business fails, it is unable to continue because of money problems.
(NOT HELP)
[ T ]辜负;对…无能为力
to not help someone when you are expected to do so
He failed her in her moment of need. 她最需要他的时候，他却辜负了她。
When I looked down and saw how far I had to jump, my courage failed me (= I felt very frightened). 当我往下看，看到自己要跳多远时，就泄了气。
fail
noun [ C ] uk/feɪl/ us/feɪl/
UK（课程）未通过；（考试）不及格
an unsuccessful result in a course, test, or exam
John got three passes and four fails in his exams. 约翰考试3门及格，4门不及格。
informal（彻底的）失败
something that has been done very badly or gone completely wrong; a failure
My pancakes were an epic fail (= completely unsuccessful). 我做的薄煎饼太失败了。
The software crashes every time I open an email. What a fail. 每次我一打开邮件这个软件就停止运行。太糟糕了！
without fail 总是;必定
If you do something without fail, you always do it.
I go to the gym every Monday and Wednesday, without fail. 我每周一和周三必定去健身房。
This film always makes me smile, without fail.
She attended church every Sunday without fail.
I read his newspaper column, without fail, every Saturday.
Every week, without fail, he brings her flowers.
务必；一定
used to tell someone that they must do something
Be there at nine o'clock, without fail. 9点钟务必到那里。
They need to feed the animals every day, without fail.
We must, without fail, turn our country into a flourishing and democratic state.
The money must be paid by Friday, without fail.
I want you to give Paul this message, without fail.