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to abdicate
/ˈæbdəˌkeɪt/
verb
to not accept or complete an obligation or duty
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to backfire
/ˈbækˌfaɪɹ/
verb
to have a result contrary to what one desired or intended
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at the expense of
/æt ðɪ ɛkspˈɛns ʌv/
preposition
causing a negative consequence or cost to someone or something in order to benefit another
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deficiency
/dɪˈfɪʃənsi/
noun
an existing weakness or fault in someone or something
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to elude
/ɪˈɫud/
verb
to cleverly avoid or escape from someone or something
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to doom
/ˈdum/
verb
to intentionally cause something or someone to fail or experience a negative outcome by creating specific conditions
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fiasco
/fiˈæskoʊ/
noun
a quick and unexpected downfall
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to flatline
/flˈætlaɪn/
verb
to remain the same and fail to make any progress
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to flounder
/ˈfɫaʊndɝ/
verb
to experience confusion, indecision, or difficulty in finding a solution
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futile
/ˈfjutəɫ/
adjective
unable to result in success or anything useful
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hassle
/ˈhæsəɫ/
noun
a situation that is disturbing because it causes difficulty or problems
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ill-fated
/ˈɪlfˈeɪɾᵻd/
adjective
marked by bringing bad fortune or ending in failure
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to implode
/ˌɪmˈpɫoʊd/
verb
(of a system, organization, etc.) to experience a sudden or dramatic failure
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inauspicious
/ˌɪˌnaʊˈspɪʃɪs/
adjective
putting someone or something at a disadvantage
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inconvenience
/ˌɪnkənˈvinjəns/
noun
difficulties caused by something that makes one irritated or uncomfortable
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in vain
/ɪn vˈeɪn/
adverb
without success or achieving the desired result
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to languish
/ˈɫæŋɡwɪʃ/
verb
to fail to be successful or make any progress
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lost cause
/lˈɔst kˈɔːz/
noun
a thing or person that is impossible to improve or succeed
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to miscarry
/mɪskˈæɹi/
verb
be fail to achieve success or reach the desired outcome
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nonentity
/nɑˈnɛntəti/
noun
a person who lacks influence or importance in a particular setting or community
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to overreach
/ˈoʊvɝˌɹitʃ/
verb
to go beyond limits of one's power or authority, often resulting in negative consequences or failure
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pathetic
/pəˈθɛtɪk/
adjective
deserving pity due to perceived weakness or sadness
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to plague
/ˈpɫeɪɡ/
verb
to continually cause someone or something difficulty, pain, or worry
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precarious
/pɹiˈkɛɹiəs/
adjective
unstable or insecure, often causing anxiety
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to scupper
/ˈskəpɝ/
verb
to do something in order to cause something such as an opportunity or plan to fail
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setback
/ˈsɛtˌbæk/
noun
a problem that gets in the way of a process or makes it worse
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to strike out
/stɹˈaɪk ˈaʊt/
verb
to not succeed in doing or accomplishing something
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to unravel
/ənˈɹævəɫ/
verb
(of a scheme, system, organization, etc.) to begin to fail or fall apart
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to talk down
/tˈɔːk dˈaʊn/
verb
to speak to someone in a way that suggests they are inferior or less intelligent than the speaker
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underdog
/ˈəndɝˌdɔɡ/
noun
an individual, team, etc. who is regarded as weaker compared to others and has little chance of success as a result
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unattainable
/ˌənəˈteɪnəbəɫ/
adjective
not possible to reach or obtain
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thorny
/ˈθɔɹni/
adjective
causing problem or difficulty
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to break down
/bɹˈeɪk dˈaʊn/
verb
(of a relationship, negotiation, etc.) to fail to function properly
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to fall flat
phrase
(of a joke, remark, event, etc.) to be completely unsuccessful in amusing people or having the desired effect
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fatally
/ˈfeɪtəɫi/
adverb
in a way that results in an absolute failure or disaster
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to haunt
/ˈhɔnt/
verb
To stay in the thoughts of someone for a long time
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to miss the mark
phrase
to fail in achieving the desired result
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to implode
/ˌɪmˈpɫoʊd/
verb
to bring about the destruction of a system, organization, etc.
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