fail

I UK [feɪl] / US verb
Word forms "fail":
present tense I/you/we/they fail he/she/it fails present participle failing past tense failed past participle failed
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1)

a) [intransitive] to be unsuccessful when you try to do something

Most people who try to lose weight fail dismally.

fail to do something:

They have failed to come up with any practical solutions.

fail in:

He failed in his attempt to get compensation.

b) used about actions or plans

Attempts to revive him failed.

It looks as if the negotiations are going to fail.

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Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with fail
▪  abysmally, completely, dismally, miserably, narrowly Nouns frequently used as subjects of fail
▪  attempt, bid, mission, plan

2)

a) [intransitive] to not do something that people expect you to do

He failed to come home at the usual time.

fail in your duty/obligation:

The government is failing in its duty to protect people.

b) [transitive] if someone fails you, they do not do what they promised or what you trusted them to do

He felt he had failed his team-mates.

The political system has failed us.

3)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to be unsuccessful in achieving a satisfactory level or standard

The new plane failed a safety test.

She failed all her exams.

fail on:

I failed on the written part of my driving test.

b) [transitive] to decide that someone or something has not achieved a satisfactory score or standard

Examiners failed nearly 30% of the candidates.

4) [intransitive] if something such as a machine or an organ in your body fails, it no longer works correctly

The brakes failed and the van crashed into a tree.

a) if someone's health is failing, they are becoming weak and less able to do things

b) if something such as a business or a relationship fails, it has a lot of problems and can no longer continue

If interest rates go up, more small businesses will fail.

c) if crops fail, they do not finish growing and cannot be used for food

d) if the rains fail, it does not rain during the usual season or time of the year

5) [transitive] mainly literary if a quality or ability fails you, you suddenly lose it

At the last minute, her courage failed her.

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I fail to see/understand — spoken formal used for saying in an annoyed way that you do not understand something

I fail to see why anybody would marry a man like that.

- if all else fails

- never fail to do something

II UK [feɪl] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "fail":
singular fail plural fails British

a result in a test that shows someone or something has not achieved a satisfactory score or standard

Is 45% a pass or a fail?

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- without fail