to abdicate
to abdicate
/ˈæbdəˌkeɪt/
verb*** fail to fulfill or undertake (a responsibility or duty)
Examples
to backfire
to backfire
/ˈbækˌfaɪɹ/
verbto have a result contrary to what one desired
Examples
at the expense of
at the expense of
phrase
used when something is done by putting someone or something else at risk
Examples
deficiency
deficiency
/dɪˈfɪʃənsi/
nounan existing weakness or fault in someone or something
Examples
to elude
to elude
/ɪˈɫud/
verbavoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
Examples
to doom
to doom
/ˈdum/
verbto have no choice but to die, fail, etc.
Click to see examples
Examples
Collective judgments were doomed to be extreme. "
fiasco
fiasco
/fiˈæskoʊ/
nouna sudden and violent collapse
Examples
to flatline
to flatline
/flˈætlaɪn/
verb*** fail to increase; remain static
Examples
to flounder
to flounder
/ˈfɫaʊndɝ/
verbbehave awkwardly; have difficulties
Examples
futile
futile
/ˈfjutəɫ/
adjectiveserving no purpose or not producing any useful results
Examples
hassle
hassle
/ˈhæsəɫ/
nouna situation that is disturbing because it causes difficulty or problems
Examples
ill-fated
ill-fated
/ˈɪlfˈeɪɾᵻd/
adjectivemarked by bringing bad fortune or ending in failure
Examples
to implode
to implode
/ˌɪmˈpɫoʊd/
verb(of a system, organization, etc.) to experience a sudden or dramatic failure
Examples
inauspicious
inauspicious
/ˌɪˌnaʊˈspɪʃɪs/
adjectivecontrary to your interests or welfare
Examples
inconvenience
inconvenience
/ˌɪnkənˈvinjəns/
noundifficulties caused by something that makes one irritated or uncomfortable
Examples
in vain
in vain
/ɪn vˈeɪn/
adverbwith no success
Examples
to languish
to languish
/ˈɫæŋɡwɪʃ/
verbto fail to be successful or make any progress
Examples
lost cause
lost cause
/lˈɔst kˈɔːz/
nouna thing or person that is impossible to improve or succeed
Examples
to miscarry
to miscarry
/mɪskˈæɹi/
verbbe fail to achieve success or reach the desired outcome
Examples
nonentity
nonentity
/nɑˈnɛntəti/
nouna person of no influence
Examples
to overreach
to overreach
/ˈoʊvɝˌɹitʃ/
verbfail by aiming too high or trying too hard
Examples
pathetic
pathetic
/pəˈθɛtɪk/
adjectivedeserving or inciting pity
Examples
to plague
to plague
/ˈpɫeɪɡ/
verbto continually cause someone or something difficulty, pain, or worry
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Examples
Because they don't know what's plaguing them, they have no idea how to stop it.
In 1665, 100,000 people died from an illness called the plague.
precarious
precarious
/pɹiˈkɛɹiəs/
adjectiveaffording no ease or reassurance
Examples
to scupper
to scupper
/ˈskəpɝ/
verbto do something in order to cause something such as an opportunity or plan to fail
Examples
setback
setback
/ˈsɛtˌbæk/
nouna problem that gets in the way of a process or makes it worse
Examples
to strike out
to strike out
/stɹˈaɪk ˈaʊt/
verbto not succeed in doing or accomplishing something
Examples
to unravel
to unravel
/ənˈɹævəɫ/
verb(of a scheme, system, organization, etc.) to begin to fail or fall apart
Examples
to talk down
to talk down
/tˈɔːk dˈaʊn/
verbspeak in a condescending manner, as if to a child
Examples
underdog
underdog
/ˈəndɝˌdɔɡ/
nouna person, team, etc. that does not have a high chance of success or winning because of being seemingly weaker than others
Examples
unattainable
unattainable
/ˌənəˈteɪnəbəɫ/
adjectivenot possible to reach or obtain
Examples
thorny
thorny
/ˈθɔɹni/
adjectivecausing problem or difficulty
Examples
to break down
to break down
/bɹˈeɪk dˈaʊn/
verb(of a relationship, negotiation, etc.) to cease to work, and fail
Examples
to fall flat
to fall flat
/fˈɔːl flˈæt/
verb(of a plan, joke, remark, etc.) to fail amuse or interest others
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fatally
fatally
/ˈfeɪtəɫi/
adverbin a way that almost guarantees failure or disaster
Examples
to haunt
to haunt
/ˈhɔnt/
verb*** be persistently in the mind of (someone)
Examples
to miss the mark
to miss the mark
/mˈɪs ðə mˈɑːɹk/
phraseto fail in achieving the desired result
Examples