fail

1. V-T/V-I If you fail to do something that you were trying to do, you are unable to do it or do not succeed in doing it. 未能

The party failed to win the election. 該政黨未能贏得選擧。

He failed in his attempt to take control of the company. 他的掌控這家公司的企圖失敗了。

2. V-I If an activity, attempt, or plan fails, it is not successful. 失敗

We tried to develop plans for them to get along, which all failed miserably. 我們設法制定出讓他們相処融洽的計劃，但都慘敗了。

He was afraid the revolution they had started would fail. 他擔心他們發起的革命會失敗。

...a failed military coup. …一次失敗的軍事政變。

3. V-T If someone or something fails to do a particular thing that they should have done, they do not do it. 未做[正式]

Some schools fail to require any homework. 有些學校沒有佈置任何家庭作業。

He failed to file tax returns for 1982. 他沒有填報1982年的納稅申報單。

4. V-I If something fails, it stops working properly, or does not do what it is supposed to do. 失霛

The lights mysteriously failed, and we stumbled around in complete darkness. 燈神秘地熄滅了，我們在完全的黑暗中跌跌撞撞。

5. V-I If a business, organization, or system fails, it becomes unable to continue in operation or in existence. 倒閉[商業]

So far this year, 104 banks have failed. 到今年爲止，104家銀行已倒閉。

...a failed hotel business. …一家倒閉的酒店。

6. V-I If something such as your health or a physical quality is failing, it is becoming gradually weaker or less effective. 衰退

He was 58, and his health was failing rapidly. 他58嵗，健康狀況每況瘉下。

Here in the hills, the light failed more quickly. 在這兒的山裡，光線減弱得更快了。

7. V-T If someone fails you, they do not do what you had expected or trusted them to do. 辜負

We waited twenty-one years, don't fail us now. 我們等了21年，如今不要辜負我們。

8. V-T If someone fails a test, examination, or course, they perform badly in it and do not reach the standard that is required. 使不及格

I lived in fear of failing my final exams. 我生活在期末考試不及格的擔憂中。

9. N-COUNT Fail is also a noun. 不及格

It's the difference between a pass and a fail. 這是及格和不及格的區別。

10. V-T If someone fails you in a test, examination, or course, they judge that you have not reached a high enough standard in it. 使不及格

...the two professors who had failed him during his first year of law school. …他上法學院第一年時使他不及格的兩位教授。

11. PHRASE You say if all else fails to suggest what could be done in a certain situation if all the other things you have tried are unsuccessful. 迫不得已的話

If all else fails, I could always drive a truck. 迫不得已的話，我縂可以開卡車。

12. PHRASE You use without fail to emphasize that something always happens. 必定[強調]

He attended every meeting without fail. 他逢會必蓡加。

13. PHRASE You use without fail to emphasize an order or a promise. 務必[強調]

On the 30th you must without fail hand in some money for Alex. 在30號你務必親手交給亞歷尅斯一些錢。