Collocations for "failed"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "failed" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
fail
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- fail the [exam, class]
- fail at [life, chess, basketball]
- UK: failed in the exam
- fail [her, your son, your friends]
- failed them by (not)
- fail (in) your [responsibility, obligation, duty]
- fail your driving test
- failed to [consider, remember, realize]
- failed to [lock the door, shut off the stove]
- fail to [comply, provide, resolve, repair]
- failed to [inquire, ask, convince, persuade]
- failed to [install, remove]
- you never fail to surprise me
- cannot fail to be [impressed, amused, moved] (by)
- [you, the plan] can't fail
- it never fails
- feel you have failed
- the [economy, company, project] is failing
- the [bank, business, company, economy] failed
- his [speed, strength, energy, stamina] failed
- [their marriage, her health] is failing
- failed [due to, because of]
- (car) failed on [start-up, ignition]
- [you can't, you won't, it's impossible to] fail
- US: fail out of [school, college]
- slang: epic fail
- slang: was a (complete) parenting fail!
- that was a [complete, total] fail
- at least it was not a [complete] fail
- well, [today, the party] was a fail
- always [finish, go, stop] without fail
- be [here, home] at 10 without fail
- [six] passes and [two] fails
- [eliminated, out] after three fails
- [F, 39%] is a fail
- a fail grade
'failed' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
acknowledge
- act
- advance
- advanced
- agreement
- announcement
- answer
- assessment
- attempt
- avert
- bail
- bar
- binge
- biology
- burning
- comprehension
- consistency
- contestant
- convince
- copy
- coup
- cut
- deadline
- deliver
- destination
- dire
- disclose
- dispel
- dope
- download
- electronic
- employer
- engage
- entice
- entrance
- exam
- examination
- excite
- expectation
- fail
- famine
- function
- funny
- good
- grade
- heed
- hence
- hold
- hundred
- importance