Learn from setbacks and express frustrating situations with 178 idioms focused on failure.
11 topics195 words
Resulting in Failure17 words
chink in {one's} armorphrasea weakness in someone's character or argument that can be used against them
Achilles' heelphrasea point of weakness or vulnerability
to [dig] {one's} own gravephraseto do something that will lead to one's own failure
to [cut] {one's} own [throat]phraseto do something that causes one serious trouble or harm
{one's} (own|) worst enemyphraseused to convey that a person is causing harm to themselves through their own actions, choices, or behavior
to [foul] {one's} (own|) nestphraseto behave in a way that damages or undermines one's own reputation or success
[kill] the goose that lays the golden eggsentenceto destroy something that could bring one a lot of money or great success, particularly because of greed
the final nail in the coffinphrasethe last event, action, or circumstance that causes something to fail or end
to [get] on top of {sb}phrase(of a difficult or challenging situation) to overwhelm someone and cause them stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions
to [rest|sit] on {one's} laurelsphraseto become satisfied with one's past achievements and to stop making efforts to improve or progress
on shaky groundphrasein an uncertain or unstable situation that is likely to fail or collapse
to [knock] {sth} on the headphraseto stop or put an end to something abruptly or decisively
to [lose] steamphraseto lose momentum, energy, or enthusiasm for something, especially a task or project
kiss of deathphrasean event or action that results in the failure of something, particularly an organization
to [take] a beatingphraseto experience a significant loss, failure, or setback in a particular situation
on the runphrasein a state of disadvantage, difficulty, or vulnerability
take a beatingphraseto experience a significant loss, failure, or setback in a particular situation
Experiencing Failure20 words
to [hang] on by {one's} fingernailsphraseto barely manage to survive or succeed
on {one's} kneesphrasein a difficult, desperate, or vulnerable situation where help or intervention may be needed
to [go] pear-shapedphraseto proceed in a way that causes a bad outcome
to [fall] at the first (hurdle|fence)phraseto fail or encounter difficulties at the beginning of a task or process, before any significant progress has been made
to [fall] at the (final|last) (hurdle|fence)phraseto encounter failure or difficulties just before reaching the end or achieving a goal
the wheels [fall off|come off]sentenceused to refer to something that was working or progressing well but suddenly stopped functioning or fell apart
to [fall] flatphrase(of a joke, remark, event, etc.) to be completely unsuccessful in amusing people or having the desired effect
to [go] (up|down) in flamesphraseto experience a complete failure or defeat, often accompanied by dramatic or disastrous consequences
to [fall] flat on {one's} facephraseto experience an embarrassing failure in an attempt to do something
to [go] ass over (tit|tip)phraseto suddenly fall down because of losing one's balance
to [go] southphraseto experience a sudden and significant decline, deterioration, or devaluation, often unexpectedly or rapidly
to [go] haywirephraseto malfunction or stop functioning properly
to [beat|bang|hit] {one's} head against (a|the) (brick|) wallphraseto repeatedly try to do or achieve something without success
{sb} [can't|couldn't] hack itsentenceused to convey that one is unable to cope with or handle a particular situation, task, or challenge
to [go] belly upphrase(of a company, organization, plan, etc.) to experience a complete failure
to [fall] to piecesphraseto completely fail to be effective
on one's kneesphrasein a desperate, weakened, or declining condition; on the verge of collapse or ruin
go southphraseto experience a sudden and significant decline, deterioration, or devaluation, often unexpectedly or rapidly
black eyenounan issue causing progress to slow down or stop entirely
fall to piecesphraseto completely fail to be effective
Lost in the Game14 words
blind alleynouna course or situation that yields no useful results
a losing battlephrasea situation or conflict where the outcome or victory is highly unlikely or unfavorable
to [be] done forphraseto be certain to fail because of being in an awful situation
{one's} cake [is] doughphraseused when one's actions failed to achieve any success or make any progress
to [hit|reach] rock bottomphraseto reach the lowest possible point in a particular situation, often in terms of emotional or financial well-being
to {not} [have] a (single|) prayerphraseto have no chance of achieving success
the end of the (line|road)phrasethe point at which making further progress becomes nearly impossible
no diceinterjectionused to say that one has no chance in achieving success or is out of luck when trying to do something
to [go] down the [tube]phraseto experience a significant decline, failure, or deterioration in a situation, project, or endeavor
to [go] down like a lead balloon (across Wales|)phraseto be extremely unsuccessful or very badly received
lame ducknounsomeone or something that is unsuccessful and in need of help
rotten eggnounsomeone who keeps failing at things they try to do, particularly in a hilarious or horrendous way
dead lossnounsomeone who accomplishes nothing or is of no use
be done forphraseto be certain to fail because of being in an awful situation
Wastefulness23 words
to [cry] over spilled milkphraseto feel upset or regretful about something that has already happened and cannot be undone
to [cast|throw] pearls before swinephraseto do good things and waste valuable resources for ungrateful people
to [break] evenphraseto reach a point where gains equal losses, resulting in a balance
to [chase] {one's} (own|) tailphraseto try hard yet achieve very little or nothing at all
to [save] {one's} breathphraseto avoid wasting one's time and energy by not trying to persuade or convince someone who is unlikely to change their opinion or behavior
to [close|shut|lock] the (stable|barn) door after the horse (has bolted|is stolen)phraseto try to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened
square onenounthe point or situation from which one starts to do something
back to the drawing boardphraseused when one has to return to the beginning of a process and redo the process after one's effort has failed
from pillar to postphrasefrom one place or situation to another without a clear purpose or direction, often in a chaotic or haphazard manner
to [paint|gild] the lilyphraseto unnecessarily adorn or decorate something that is already beautiful or perfect
to [face|come to|hit] (a|the) (brick|) wallphraseto reach a point where it is unlikely or too difficult to make any progress
to [bark] at the moonphraseto take part in a protest that has no chance of reaching success
to [bark] up the wrong treephraseto make a wrong decision about how to achieve or deal with something
to [beat] a dead horsephraseto waste energy on a lost cause
to [bring] sand to the beachphraseto do something that is considered to be redundant or useless
to [come|go|turn] full circlephraseto go through a series of efforts or actions only to end up back where one started, highlighting the lack of progress or meaningful change
toing and froingphrasethe act of repeatedly talking or thinking about something without reaching a clear conclusion
like nailing Jell-O to the wallphraseused to refer to a task that is s very difficult or impossible to do
like pouring water (in|into) a sievephraseused when someone is doing something that is pointless or ineffective
like talking to a (brick|) wallphraseused to describe a frustrating or unproductive conversation with someone who is unresponsive or uninterested
the (cake|game) [is] not worth the candlesentencethe outcome or reward of a task is not worth the effort or resources required to achieve it
to [tread] waterphraseto fail to make any progress in a job or task
break evenphrase(of a business) to reach a point that yields no success due to the profit being almost as equal as the costs
Fruitlessness18 words
to [bring|carry] owls to Athensphraseto put effort into doing something unproductive and completely unnecessary
to [carry|take] coals to Newcastlephraseto undertake something that is pointless
to [chase] rainbowsphraseto pursue a goal or aspiration that is unrealistic or unlikely to be achieved
to [be|go] for naughtphraseto completely fail to produce the intended or expected effect
to [come] to nothingphraseto fail to achieve the desired results
down the drainphraseused to refer to something, such as a chance, idea, etc., that has been completely wasted or neglected
to [fall] on stony groundphraseto fail to produce or achieve the desired result
to [go|get] nowherephraseto fail to achieve success despite the attempts made
in circlesphrasewith no success achieved or no progress made
to [milk] (the|a) (bull|ram)phraseto engage in a fruitless or pointless activity
to [pay] too dearly for {one's} whistlephraseto waste too much money, resources, or effort on doing something that proves to be unfulfilling in the end
wild goose chasephrasea pursuit or search for something that is unlikely to produce any useful result
wise after the eventphraseto come to realize what could have been done to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened
to [boil] the oceanphraseto make an attempt to achieve something that seems extremely difficult or even impossible
to [wave] a dead chickenphraseto engage in a futile or meaningless action in an attempt to resolve a problem or accomplish a task
to [put] (a|) lipstick on a pigphraseto make a fruitless attempt in order to make something look more beautiful or successful
to [whistle] in the windphraseto make a fruitless attempt to solve a problem
to [argue] the tossphraseto disagree with or continue arguing about a decision that is already made
Deterioration17 words
to [add] fuel to the firephraseto intensify a disagreement or argument
to [add] insult to injuryphraseto worsen a bad situation by doing or saying something hurtful or disrespectful, in addition to the harm that has already been caused
to [fan] the flamesphraseto worsen a bad, unpleasant, or dangerous situation for someone or something
to [go] to hell in (a|) (handbasket|handbag)phraseto rapidly and irreversibly deteriorate or decline in a manner that is likely to result in a bad outcome or failure
to [go] to the dogsphraseto deteriorate or decline significantly
to [have] (seen|known) better daysphraseto be in a very poor condition, particularly compared to the past
to [shoot] {oneself} in the footphraseto unintentionally do something that harms oneself or one's own interests
double whammynouna situation in which one gets affected by two unpleasant or unfortunate events that happen at once
on {one's} last legsphrasein a very poor condition or near the end of their lifespan or usefulness
on the ropesphrasevery likely to be defeated or completely fail
out of the frying pan (and|) into the firephraseused when one moves from a bad situation into a worse one
the balloon [goes] upsentenceused to indicate that a situation is about to become tense, difficult, or critical
to [come] to a grinding haltphraseto suddenly and completely stop, often in a dramatic or unexpected manner, implying a sense of frustration, disappointment, or failure
to [grind] to a haltphraseto slowly come to a complete stop after gradually losing speed or power
to [go] to the Devilphraseto become ruined or destroyed, often due to a person's own actions or neglect
worse for wearphraseused to describe someone who is really tired after an exhaustive physical activity
grind to a haltphraseto slowly come to a complete stop after gradually losing speed or power
Defamation & Unpopularity19 words
to [drag] {one's} name through the (mud|mire)phraseto make unfavorable remarks about someone
dirt on {sb}phrasethe action of publishing or spreading unpleasant details about someone's private life in order to negatively impact the public's opinion of them
dirty (linen|laundry)phraseone's personal matters that if shared with others could make one embarrassed or ashamed
nine day wonderphrasesomething that receives a lot of attention for a short time, but is soon forgotten
to [fall] from gracephraseto lose favor, respect, or a position of high regard due to a significant mistake, scandal, or failure
to [lay] a glove on {sb/sth}phraseto physically hit someone, particularly while wearing boxing gloves
to [lose] facephraseto do something that causes others to have less respect for one
loss of facephrasethe state of losing all the respect others had for one because of one's actions
{one's} name [is] mudsentenceused when one says or does something that makes one disgraced or discredited
to [get] the birdphraseto be subjected to disapproval, rejection, or criticism from others, often through booing
to [blot] {one's} copybookphraseto make a mistake that brings about a negative consequence
to [pick] holes in {sth}phraseto find the flaws and weaknesses of something, like a plan, action, or idea
to [make] an ass (out|) of {sb}phraseto make someone appear foolish or ridiculous in front of others
to [put|have] {one's} [head|neck] on the blockphraseto take a particular course of action that endangers one's reputation or position
to [make] an exhibition of {oneself}phraseto behave in an embarrassing or foolish manner in front of other people, in a way that that makes them mock one
lay a glove on somebody or somethingphraseto cause a loss of respect or reputation for a person or thing
out of seasonphraseused to refer to something is not currently appropriate, popular, or available due to being outside of its usual time or season
get the birdphraseto be subjected to disapproval, rejection, or criticism from others, often through booing
black eyenouna negative perception of someone or something
Defeat24 words
to [come] to griefphraseto have an undesirable, unfortunate, or disappointing outcome
out of the runningphrasewith no chance of succeeding in a competition
wide (of|off) the markphrasefar from the correct or expected result
comedy of errorsphrasea situation or series of events that is marked by a sequence of humorous mistakes, mishaps, or misunderstandings
to [miss] the (boat|bus)phraseto lose the chance to take advantage of something, particularly a good opportunity
dead ducknounsomeone or something that has never succeeded or is very unlikely to succeed in the future
to [come] a cropperphraseto suddenly fail at something
dead in the waterphraseused to describe a situation or plan that has come to a complete halt or has become unproductive, with little to no chance of progress or success
to [pass] {one's} sell-by datephraseto be no longer effective or of much use
to [go|come] down in the worldphraseto experience a fall in social or financial status
yesterday's (man|woman)phrasesomeone who was once significant or important but is now considered outdated or no longer influential
to [draw] a blankphraseto be unable to remember something clearly
the writing [is] on the wallsentenceused to say that there are clear indications or signals that something negative or disastrous is going to happen soon, and that it is likely to be unavoidable
to [take] {sb} to the cleanersphraseto defeat a person or a group thoroughly, often in a very humiliating manner
to [knock] {sb} off {one's} feetphraseto overwhelm or defeat someone completely and unexpectedly
dead lossnouna situation or activity that is not productive
dog daysnouna period of hardship, struggle, or adversity
dead man walkingphrasesomeone who is prone to lose something that is of great value or importance to them, such as their position, job, title, etc.
dead endnouna situation that shows no signs of progress or improvement
down for the countphrasehaving failed in doing or achieving something and unable to continue
draw a blankphraseto be unable to come up with ideas or solutions to a problem
take somebody to the cleanersphraseto defeat a person or a group thoroughly, often in a very humiliating manner
wooden spoonnouna mock prize, usually a wooden spoon, given to the person or team that finishes last in a competition
knock somebody off one's feetphraseto overwhelm or defeat someone completely and unexpectedly
Game Over21 words
to [come] off (worst|worse)phraseto be in the least favorable or losing position in a situation compared to others involved
to [cut] the ground from under {one's} feetphraseto do something better or sooner than someone else which will ruin their plans or achievements
to [eat] {one's} dustphraseto experience a massive defeat by someone in any competitive situation
to [give] {sb} a run for {one's} moneyphraseto challenge or compete with someone in a way that surprises or impresses others
to [hold] a candle to {sb/sth}phraseto be even remotely comparable in quality, skill, etc.
to [lose|give] groundphraseto give up one's position to the opposing side, resulting in a loss of progress, influence, or control
behind the curvephrasein a position or state that is less advantageous or successful compared to others
to [walk] all over {sb}phraseto defeat someone without any difficulty
to [wipe] the floor with {sb}phraseto completely beat someone in an argument or competition, particularly in a humiliating way
to [make] mincemeat (out|) of {sb/sth}phraseto completely defeat or win against someone or something in a convincing and overwhelming manner, whether it be in a competition, argument, game, or other activity
to [eat] {sb} alivephraseto easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them
to [eat|have] {sb/sth} for breakfastphraseto easily and thoroughly defeat someone
to [have] had {one's} chipsphraseto face a significant setback or failure in one's career, often resulting in the end of one's professional pursuits
to [go] up in smokephrase(of plans, hopes, etc.) to come to nothing or fail completely, often resulting in disappointment or loss
Pyrrhic victorynouna victory achieved at the cost of losing so many things in return
Mexican standoffnouna situation where multiple parties are at a standstill, and no one is willing to take action to resolve the situation
to [beat|knock] the (living|) daylights out of {sb}phraseto thoroughly beat someone, particularly in a contest
walk all over somebodyphraseto defeat someone without any difficulty
make mincemeat (out) of somebody or somethingphraseto completely defeat or win against someone or something in a convincing and overwhelming manner, whether it be in a competition, argument, game, or other activity
eat somebody alivephraseto easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them
beat the (living) daylights out of somebodyphraseto thoroughly beat someone, particularly in a contest
Lose or Win10 words
to [go|stand|be] toe-to-toephraseto fight or compete with someone with great force, determination, and strength
to [look] to {one's} laurelsphraseto try harder in order not to let others outdo one
to [meet|find] {one's} matchphraseto be challenged by someone as equally good or slightly better than one
to [take] up the gauntletphraseto agree to undertake a challenge
to [throw] down the gauntletphraseto challenge someone to a fight or competition
bring it onsentenceused to demonstrate confidence in one's skills and abilities when challenging someone
zero-sum gamenouna situation in which one side can achieve victory by taking the advantage away from the other side in a competition, causing them to lose the game
dog eat dogphrase(in business, politics, etc.) a situation in which the competition is so fierce that everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it means harming others
close callnouna situation where there is an equal chance for one to fail or succeed
playing fieldnounthe circumstances or conditions under which competition takes place
Mistakes & Poor Performance12 words
to [make] a pig's ear of {sth}phraseto perform a task or activity very poorly, resulting in a negative outcome
the buck [stop] (here|there)sentenceused to say that someone has accepted the responsibility or blame for something and will not pass it to someone else
to [play] (into|in) {one's} handsphraseto unintentionally give an advantage to one's enemy or rival
to [bring] a knife to a gunfightphraseto be inadequately prepared for a conflict or challenging situation
more holes than Swiss cheesephraseused to say that something or someone has many flaws, problems, or gaps that make it incomplete or unreliable
Himalayan blundernouna major mistake or error, often made by someone in power, that leads to catastrophic consequences
to [overshoot] the markphraseto make a mistake, particularly in judging the amount of something
false [move]nouna reckless action that may result in serious consequences or failure
[slip] of the tonguephrasean accidental and minor mistake made while speaking
like turkeys voting for Christmasphraseused to refer to a situation where individuals or groups unknowingly support or participate in something that will ultimately bring harm or negative consequences to themselves
to [bring] {sth} to a grinding haltphraseto cause something to suddenly and completely stop, often in a dramatic or unexpected manner
overshoot the markphraseto make a mistake, particularly in judging the amount of something
Learn all 195 words in this list with spaced repetition