Fail to do something

The letter failed to arrive. Firms that fail to take advantage of the new technology will go out of business.

3. EXAM/TEST

a) [intransitive and transitive] to not pass a test or examination

I failed my driving test the first time I took it. Daniel failed maths but passed all his other subjects.

b) [transitive] to decide that someone has not passed a test or examination

Her work was so bad that I had no choice but to fail her.

4. I fail to see/understand

formal used to show that you are annoyed by something that you do not accept or understand

I fail to see why you find it so amusing.

5. COMPANY/BUSINESS

[intransitive] if a company or business fails, it is unable to continue because of a lack of money

6. MACHINE/BODY PART

[intransitive] if a part of a machine or an organ in your body fails, it stops working

The engine failed on take-off. The hospital said that his kidneys were failing.

7. HEALTH

[intransitive] if your sight, memory, health etc is failing, it is gradually getting weaker or is not as good as it was

Failing eyesight forced him to retire early.

8. never fail to do something

to do something or happen so regularly that people expect it

My grandson never fails to phone me on my birthday.

9. your courage/will/nerve fails (you)

if your courage etc fails, or if it fails you, you suddenly do not have it when you need it

She had to leave immediately, before her courage failed her.

10. fail somebody

to not do what someone has trusted you to do

ￚ synonym let somebody down

I feel I've failed my children by not spending more time with them.

11. CROPS

[intransitive] if crops fail, they do not grow or produce food, for example because of bad weather

12. RAINS

[intransitive] if the rains (=a lot of rain that falls at a particular time each year) fail, they do not come when expected or it does not rain enough

ￚsee also words fail me

Fail noun

Without fail

a) if you do something without fail, you always do it

Tim visits his mother every day without fail.

b) used to tell someone very firmly that they must do something

I want that work finished by tomorrow, without fail!

2. [countable]an unsuccessful result in a test or examination

ￚopposite pass

I got a fail in history.

Failed adjective

A failed actor/writer etc

someone who wanted to be an actor etc but was unsuccessful

Take verb past tense took / tʊk /

past participle taken

/ teɪkən /

1. ACTION

[transitive]used with a noun instead of using a verb to describe an action. For example, if you take a walk, you walk somewhere

Would you like to take a look?Mike's just taking a shower.Sara took a deep breath.I waved, but he didn't take any notice (=pretended not to notice).

Take a picture/photograph/photo

Would you mind taking a photo of us together?

2. MOVE

[transitive]to move or go with someone or something from one place to another

ￚopposite bring

Take somebody/something to/into etc something

Barney took us to the airport. Would you mind taking Susie home?

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