Success and Failure - Unsuccessful People or Things

Here you will learn some English words related to unsuccessful people or things such as "collapse", "hot mess", and "disaster".

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also-ran

[noun]

a person who fails to win or succeed in a competition, contest, etc.

Ex: Although he was an also-ran in the race, he kept pushing himself to improve for the next competition.

to bomb

[Verb]

(of a movie, play, etc.) to fail disastrously

Ex: Despite high expectations, the new musical bombed on opening night and closed after just one week.

bomb

[noun]

an absolute failure

Ex: The movie was a bomb at the box office, earning very little revenue.

car crash

[noun]

a sudden and dramatic failure or setback

close call

[noun]

a situation where there is an equal chance for one to fail or succeed

Ex: The final vote was a close call, with both sides almost equally likely to win.

collapse

[noun]

(of a system, organization, etc.) a sudden and abrupt failure

Ex: The collapse of the government sparked protests across the country.

dead in the water

[phrase]

used to describe a situation or plan that has come to a complete halt or has become unproductive, with little to no chance of progress or success

Ex: After the investors pulled out, the project was dead in the water.

debacle

[noun]

an absolute failure which leads to shame or disgrace

defeat

[noun]

the state of having lost in a contest, war, competition, etc.

demise

[noun]

the end or failure of something, such as an organization, system, or life

Ex: The company's demise was caused by poor management decisions.

disaster

[noun]

someone or something that is a total failure

disaster area

[noun]

something that is extremely unsuccessful or disorganized

dead duck

[noun]

someone or something that has never succeeded or is very unlikely to succeed in the future

Ex: After three failed launches, the product was a dead duck.

dog

[noun]

a product, movie, etc. characterized by having an extremely poor quality

fail

[noun]

a mistake or unsuccessful act

Ex: The launch of the new product was a major fail due to poor marketing.

failure

[noun]

the absence of success in achieving a goal

false move

[noun]

a reckless action that may result in serious consequences or failure

Ex: One false move could ruin the entire negotiation.

false start

[noun]

an attempt to start something that does not succeed

fiasco

[noun]

a total failure that is often embarrassing

fool's errand

[phrase]

an action or task that is very unlikely to succeed

(a) fool's gold

[phrase]

something that appears valuable or promising at first glance, but is ultimately deceptive or worthles

hot mess

[noun]

someone or something that is extremely unsuccessful, undisciplined, or disorganized

house of cards

[phrase]

a situation, plan, system, etc. that is not stable enough to continue succeeding and can easily fail or get out of control

Ex: Their financial success was like a house of cards, relying on unsustainable investments and shaky business practices.

implosion

[noun]

a complete failure that happens all of a sudden

instability

[noun]

a state in which unexpected change or failure is probable

Success and Failure
Failed Attempts	Unsuccessful People or Things	Unsuccessful Entities	Ambition
Determination	Motivation

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