to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved

The experiment failed because of poor planning.

to receive less than the passing grade or mark in an examination, class, or course of study

He failed in history.

to be or become deficient or lacking; be insufficient or absent; fall short

Our supplies failed.

to dwindle, pass, or die away

The flowers failed for lack of rain.

to lose strength or vigor; become weak

His health failed after the operation.

to become unable to meet or pay debts or business obligations; become insolvent or bankrupt.

(of a building member, structure, machine part, etc.) to break, bend, crush, or be otherwise destroyed or made useless because of an excessive load.

to stop functioning or operating

The electricity failed during the storm.

to be unsuccessful in the performance or completion of

He failed to do his duty.

(of some expected or usual resource) to prove of no use or help to

His friends failed him. Words failed her.

to receive less than a passing grade or mark in

He failed history.

to declare (a person) unsuccessful in a test, course of study, etc.; give less than a passing grade to

The professor failed him in history.

Stock Exchange .

a stockbroker's inability to deliver or receive security within the required time after sale or purchase.

such an undelivered security.

Obsolete . failure as to performance, occurrence, etc. ?

without fail

with certainty; positively

I will visit you tomorrow without fail.

verb

accomplish , achieve , earn , gain , merit , obtain , prosper , reach , succeed , win , capture , complete , deliver , finish , procure

verb

abort , backslide , back wrong horse , be defeated , be demoted , be found lacking , be in vain , be ruined , blunder , break down , come to naught , come to nothing , decline , deteriorate , fall , fall flat , fall short , fall through * , fizzle , flop , flounder , fold , founder , go astray , go down * , go downhill , go down swinging , go up in smoke , go wrong , hit bottom , hit the skids , lose control , lose out , lose status , meet with disaster , miscarry , miss , miss the boat , play into , run aground , slip , turn out badly , back out , blink , break one’s word , desert , disappoint , discount , disregard , fault , forget , funk , ignore , let down , neglect , omit , overlook , overpass , slight , be cleaned out , become insolvent , be in arrears , be taken to the cleaners , break , close , close down , close one’s doors , crash , defalcate , default , dishonor , drop , drop a bundle , end , finish , go bankrupt , go belly up , go broke , go bust , go into chapter 11 , go out of business , go to the wall , go under * , go up * , lose big , lose one’s shirt , overdraw , repudiate , terminate , give out , run out , choke , fall through , flunk* , degenerate , flag , languish , sink , wane , waste , weaken , ruin , bust , go under , abandon , bankrupt , become bankrupt , bomb , bungle , exhaust , falter , flunk , foil , lack , lose , retrograde , retrogress , sora , unsuccessful , welsh