unsuccessful test

[/ˌʌn.səkˈses.fəl test/]
noun phrasepl: unsuccessful tests
teste malsucedido
1. An examination or trial that fails to achieve its intended purpose or desired outcome
The unsuccessful test revealed that the new software had critical bugs that needed fixing.
O teste malsucedido revelou que o novo software tinha bugs críticos que precisavam ser corrigidos.
2. A failed academic examination or assessment where the student does not meet passing requirements
After an unsuccessful test in mathematics, she decided to hire a tutor.
Após um teste malsucedido em matemática, ela decidiu contratar um tutor.
3. An experiment or clinical trial that does not produce the expected or desired results
The unsuccessful test of the vaccine candidate led researchers back to the drawing board.
O teste malsucedido do candidato a vacina levou os pesquisadores de volta ao início.
In Brazilian academic contexts, an 'unsuccessful test' (teste malsucedido or prova malsucedida) carries significant social weight, as education is highly valued. Students often discuss test results extensively. In the USA, this phrase is common in both academic and professional settings, with less social stigma attached in corporate environments where testing failure is seen as part of iterative development processes.
NYC Slang
bomb (informal), flunk (academic context)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
failed testunsuccessful examfailed examinationunsuccessful attemptnegative result
Antonyms / Antônimos
successful testpassed testsuccessful exampassed examinationpositive result

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
teste malsucedido
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
prova malsucedida
More commonly used for academic tests
Rio de Janeiro
teste que não deu certo
Colloquial, informal expression
Portugal
teste mal-sucedido
Hyphenated form; same meaning with European Portuguese spelling

Related Words

failureexamtrialassessmentevaluationexperiment

Related Idioms & Phrases

back to the drawing board
strike out
miss the mark
fall short
come up empty
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