Meanings (ES + gloss)
escollar • fracasar • zozobrar
To be unsuccessful.
As the world’s drug habit shows, governments are failing in their quest to monitor every London window-box and Andean hillside for banned plants. But even that Sisyphean task looks…
Throughout my life, I have always failed.
darse un sentón • fracasar • negar • no conseguir
Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
The truck failed to start.
pararse
Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
After running five minutes, the engine failed.
We also found that the only emergency egress from the tram was by smashing the front or rear windscreens, and that emergency lighting had failed when the tram overturned.
reprobar
To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.
I've failed my parents many times growing up.
There shall not fail thee a man on the throne.
catear • desaprobar • fallar • improbar • reprobar • suspender
To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.
I failed English last year.
catear • desaprobar • improbar • reprobar • suspender
To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.
The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.
Phrases
fail at lifefail closedfail fastfail offail openfail outfail overfail safefail upfail up the ladderfail upwardfail upwardsfail-deadlyfail-safefailablefailbackfailerfailgirlfailing thatfailoverfailprooffailsoftfailsonfailurefailure to prepare is preparing to failfemale-failgod that failedmale-failno-failpass-failtask failed successfullytoo big to failunfailunfailablewords fail someone