1a mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test: [as modifier]:a fail grade
2 informal a mistake, failure, or instance of poor performance:their customer service is a massive fail [mass noun]:his first product demo was full of fail
ზმნა
Universal
1be unsuccessful in achieving one’s goal:he failed in his attempt to secure election [with infinitive]:they failed to be ranked in the top ten
[with object] be unsuccessful in (an examination or interview):she failed her finals
[with object] (of a person or a commodity) be unable to meet the standards set by (a test of quality or eligibility):a player has failed a drugs test
[with object] judge (a candidate in an examination or test) not to have passed:the criteria used to pass or fail the candidate
2neglect to do something: [with infinitive]:the firm failed to give adequate risk warnings
[with infinitive] behave in a way contrary to expectations by not doing something:commuter chaos has again failed to materialize
[with object] desert or let down (someone):at the last moment her nerve failed her
3cease to work properly; break down:a lorry whose brakes had failed
become weaker or of poorer quality:the light began to fail (as adjective failing)his failing health
(of rain or a crop or supply) be insufficient when needed or expected:the drought means crops have failed
(of a business or a person) cease trading because of lack of funds:he lost his savings when the store failed
too big to fail
(of a financial organization or other business) so important to the economy of a country that a government or central bank must take measures to prevent it from ceasing to trade or going bankrupt:he caused a stir earlier this month when he said that no company was too big to fail
without fail
with no exception; always:he writes every week without fail