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fail (verb)

[/feɪl/]
verb
falhar
1. to not succeed in achieving a goal or completing a task
She failed the exam despite studying hard.
Ela falhou no exame apesar de estudar muito.
2. to stop working or operating properly
The engine failed during the flight.
O motor falhou durante o voo.
3. to let someone down or disappoint them
He failed his friends by not showing up.
Ele decepcionou seus amigos por não aparecer.
4. to be insufficient or inadequate
Words fail me to express my gratitude.
Palavras me faltam para expressar minha gratidão.
5. to become insolvent or bankrupt
The company failed after years of losses.
A empresa faliu após anos de perdas.
NYC Slang
bomb, tank, choke
Synonyms
flunkfall shortfloundercollapsebreak down
Antonyms
succeedpasstriumphprosperthrive

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
falhar
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
falhar
standard usage
São Paulo
falhar
standard usage, also 'fracassar' for emphasis
Portugal
falhar
standard usage; 'fracassar' used for complete failure

Related Idioms & Phrases

fail to see (não conseguir ver/compreender)
without fail (sem falta)
fail or succeed (fracassar ou ter sucesso)
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