Failure Idioms

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go down in flames

Meaning: Experience a complete and utter failure.

Example: Despite months of preparation, their business went down in flames after a major financial setback. Read more ➺


back to square one

Meaning: starting over from the beginning after a failure or setback.

Example: After the software crashed, the team had to go back to square one. Read more ➺


go pear-shaped

Meaning: to go wrong or fail, especially suddenly and unexpectedly.

Example: The business plan looked promising, but it all went pear-shaped when the funding fell through. Read more ➺


spin your wheels

Meaning: to put in effort without making progress, resulting in frustration.

Example: Without a clear plan, you'll just spin your wheels and waste valuable time. Read more ➺


lose ground

Meaning: to lose an advantage in a competition or struggle.

Example: The company began to lose ground to its competitors after the new product launch. Read more ➺


enough rope

Meaning: to allow someone enough freedom or autonomy to make mistakes or bring about their own downfall.

Example: The CEO gave the manager enough rope, knowing his mistakes would soon become evident. Read more ➺


fall between two stools

Meaning: to come between two alternatives, and so fail to fulfill either of them.

Example: This book cannot be an academic one, nor can it be a popular commercial one; it falls between two stools. Read more ➺


back the wrong horse

Meaning: make an inappropriate and wrong decision.

Example: My dad is an expert stock trader and has rarely backed the wrong horse. Read more ➺


death knell

Meaning: cause a system, organization, or activity to fail or come to an end.

Example: The shutdown of the local iron industry tolled the death knell for the village. Read more ➺


never say die

Meaning: don't get discouraged or give up, no matter what.

Example: Things look bad for the team, but never say die. A miracle could happen. Read more ➺


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