- be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal失败：
he failed in his attempt to secure election
他想在选举中获胜, 但失败了
with infinitive they failed to be ranked in the top ten.他们没能进入前十名。
- with obj. be unsuccessful in (an examination, test, or interview)在（考试、测验或面试）中不及格：
she failed her finals.
她期末考试不及格。
- with obj.(of a person or a commodity) be unable to meet the standards set by (a test of quality or eligibility)（人, 商品）达不到（质量测试或资格考试）的规定标准：
a player has failed a drugs test.
有位球员没能通过药检。
- with obj. judge (a candidate, especially in an examination) not to have passed评定（考生等）不及格。
- neglect to do something忘记做：
with infinitive the firm failed to give adequate risk warnings.那家公司没有发布足够的风险警告。
- with infinitive behave in a way contrary to hopes or expectations by not doing something（出乎预料地）没能, 未能：
commuter chaos has again failed to materialize.
上下班交通混乱又一次得以避免。
cannot fail to be/do something
used to express a strong belief that something must be the case不可能不做某事; 一定是那样：she cannot have failed to be aware of the situation.
她不可能不知道这种情况。
never fail to do something
used to indicate that something invariably happens总是会做某事：such comments never failed to annoy him.
这样的评论向来都使他生气。
- with obj. desert or let down (someone)舍弃; 使（某人）失望：
at the last moment her nerve failed her.
她在最后一刻失去了勇气。
- break down; cease to work well坏掉, 不能正常工作：
a lorry whose brakes had failed.
刹车失灵的卡车。
- become weaker or of poorer quality; die away变弱; 衰退; 消失：
the light began to fail
光线开始变暗
as adj. failing his failing health.他每况愈下的健康状况。
- (especially of a rain or a crop or supply) be lacking or insufficient when needed or expected（尤指雨或供应品）不足, 缺乏; （作物）歉收。
- (of a business or a person) be obliged to cease trading because of lack of funds; become bankrupt（企业或个人）（因缺乏资金）停业; 破产。
- a mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test不及格。
- informal a mistake, failure, or instance of poor performance〈非正式〉过失; 失败; 不良表现：
their customer service is a massive fail
他们的客服糟糕透顶
mass noun his first product demo was full of fail.他的首次产品演示漏洞百出。
without fail
- absolutely predictably; with no exception一定, 务必; 必定, 总是：
he writes every week without fail.
他每周都写信, 从不间断。