pattern

Failure - Resulting in Failure

Discover how English idioms like "on shaky ground" and "on the run" relate to failing in English.

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English idioms related to Failure
chink in {one's} armor

‌a weakness in someone's character or argument that can be used against them

Ex: His lack of experience was the chink in his armor. 
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on the run
on the run
[phrase]

in a state of disadvantage, difficulty, or vulnerability

Ex: After the scandal, the minister was on the run politically. 
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Achilles' heel

a point of weakness or vulnerability

Ex: Poor communication was the team's Achilles' heel. 
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to [dig] {one's} own grave

to do something that will lead to one's own failure

Ex: By ignoring customer complaints, the company dug its own grave. 
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to [cut] {one's} own [throat]

to do something that causes one serious trouble or harm

Ex: By insulting his boss, he cut his own throat. 
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{one's} (own|) worst enemy

used to convey that a person is causing harm to themselves through their own actions, choices, or behavior

Ex: He's his own worst enemy when it comes to relationships. 
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to [foul] {one's} (own|) nest

to behave in a way that damages or undermines one's own reputation or success

Ex: By attacking his own team online, he fouled his own nest. 
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[kill] the goose that lays the golden egg

to destroy something that could bring one a lot of money or great success, particularly because of greed

Ex: By overcharging loyal customers, the company killed the goose that lays the golden egg. 
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the final nail in the coffin

the last event, action, or circumstance that causes something to fail or end

Ex: The budget cuts were the final nail in the coffin for the project. 
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to [get] on top of {sb}

(of a difficult or challenging situation) to overwhelm someone and cause them stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions

Ex: The stress of the job started to get on top of him. 
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to [rest|sit] on {one's} laurels

to become satisfied with one's past achievements and to stop making efforts to improve or progress

Ex: After winning the award, she refused to rest on her laurels. 
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on shaky ground

in an uncertain or unstable situation that is likely to fail or collapse

Ex: After the scandal, the company was on shaky ground. 
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to [knock] {sth} on the head

to stop or put an end to something abruptly or decisively

Ex: The manager knocked the rumor on the head before it spread. 
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to [lose] steam

to lose momentum, energy, or enthusiasm for something, especially a task or project

Ex: The project started well but soon lost steam. 
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kiss of death

an event or action that results in the failure of something, particularly an organization

Ex: The bad review was the kiss of death for the new restaurant. 
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to [take] a beating

to experience a significant loss, failure, or setback in a particular situation

Ex: The company took a beating after the product failed. 
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to [go] sideways

to go wrong or become difficult in an unexpected way

Ex: The meeting went sideways after the budget question. 
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to [come] crashing down

to experience a sudden and extreme failure or disappointment, resulting in a significant and often negative impact

Ex: Their plans came crashing down after the funding disappeared. 
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