fails; failed; failing
fails; failed; failing
Learner's definition of FAIL
1
a : to not succeed : to end without success失败；未成功 [no object]
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He failed in his first attempt but succeeded in his second attempt.他第一次尝试失败了，但第二次尝试成功了。
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The rebellion failed completely.这次叛乱彻底失败了。
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an experiment that failed = a failed experiment不成功的实验
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a marriage that is failing = a failing marriage失败的婚姻
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The drought caused the crops to fail. [=the crops did not grow successfully because of the drought]干旱使得庄稼歉收。
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He only bothers to read the directions if/when all else fails. [=if/when everything else he has attempted has failed]只有所有尝试均告失败时，他才会花时间去读使用说明。
[+ object]
—
followed by to + verb接动词不定式 b [no object] : to not succeed as a business : to become bankrupt破产 2
a [+ object] : to not do (something that you should do or are expected to do)不履行—
followed by to + verb接动词不定式 b : to not do something不做 [+ object]
—
followed by to + verb接动词不定式 -
I turned on the switch but the light failed to go on.我打开了开关，但灯没有亮。
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It never fails to surprise me that people can be so gullible. [=I am always surprised that people can be so gullible]人竟然那么容易上当，这总令我感到惊讶。
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Her public appearances rarely fail to attract huge crowds. [=her public appearances almost always attract huge crowds]每当她出现在公众场合，总会招引来一大群人。
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It never fails to rain [=it always rains] when I plan to take a day off.每次我打算休假天就会下雨。
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I fail to see/understand [=I don't see/understand] why we need to change the current system. [=I don't think we need to change it]我不理解我们为何要改变现有体系。
[no object]
3
[+ object] : to not do or provide something that is needed by (someone)有负于；使失望 -
He felt that he had failed her when she needed him most.他觉得，在她最需要他的时候，他令她失望了。
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The government has failed the voters.政府辜负了选民。
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In the face of continued threats, his courage failed him. [=he lost courage, he became afraid]面对不断的威胁，他失去了勇气。
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He wanted to express his appreciation for all they had done, but words failed him. [=he did not know what to say]他想对他们所做的一切表示感谢，但却不知道该说什么。
4
a : to be unsuccessful in passing (an examination, a course of study, etc.)没有通过（考试、课程等） [+ object]
[no object]
b [+ object] : to decide that (someone) has not passed an examination or course of study评定（某人）不及格 5 [no object]
a : to stop working失灵；失去作用 b : to lose strength : to become weak or weaker变弱；衰退 2 fail /ˈfeɪl/ noun
Learner's definition of FAIL
without fail
1
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used to stress that something always happens没有例外 2
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used to stress that something will definitely happen必定；一定会