a complete failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"a complete failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something or someone that has completely failed to produce the desired result or outcome. For example, "The new marketing campaign was a complete failure, resulting in fewer sales than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tebow was a complete failure.

The New York Times

It was a complete failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Self-regulation was a complete failure".

The Economist

I felt like a complete failure.

The New York Times

"It has been a complete failure.

The Guardian

But actually, it was a complete failure.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's a complete failure," he said, laughing.

The New York Times

Ultimately, his plan was a complete failure.

The New York Times - Books

It's uncaring, it's insensitive, it's a complete failure of leadership".

The Guardian

Even if I'm a complete failure, it doesn't matter.

The Guardian - Film

The second scheme was not a complete failure, however.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a complete failure", ensure the context clearly defines what specific endeavor or entity is being assessed. Providing specific examples or reasons helps strengthen the assessment and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a complete failure" when the subject has shown some partial success or learning. Opt for a more nuanced description like "partially successful" or "had mixed results" to reflect a more accurate assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete failure" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "was", "seems"). It serves to categorize or assess a subject as having entirely failed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complete failure" is a common and direct way to express that something has entirely failed to achieve its intended purpose. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and ensure the level of failure warrants such a strong declaration. Alternatives like "an utter disaster" or "a total flop" may be suitable depending on the situation and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an utter disaster

Replaces "failure" with "disaster", emphasizing the catastrophic nature of the outcome.

a total flop

Uses the informal term "flop" to describe something that failed spectacularly.

a resounding defeat

Focuses on the aspect of defeat, suggesting a clear loss or setback.

a hopeless case

Indicates a situation or person with no prospect of success or improvement.

a lost cause

Similar to "a hopeless case", implying that further effort is futile.

a futile attempt

Highlights the effort made, but emphasizes its ultimate lack of success.

a fruitless endeavor

Similar to "a futile attempt", emphasizing the lack of positive results.

an exercise in futility

Suggests that the activity was inherently pointless and destined to fail.

a non-starter

Indicates something that was never viable or had any chance of succeeding.

dead on arrival

Implies that something was doomed to fail from the very beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "a complete failure" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete failure" to describe plans, projects, or even personal attempts that did not succeed at all. For instance, "The marketing campaign was "a complete failure", yielding no new leads".

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete failure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an utter disaster", "a total flop", or "a resounding defeat".

Is it too harsh to describe something as "a complete failure"?

The appropriateness depends on the context. If something demonstrably achieved none of its goals, the phrase is accurate. However, consider softening the language if there were mitigating circumstances or partial successes.

What's the difference between "a complete failure" and "a partial failure"?

"A complete failure" indicates total lack of success, whereas "a partial failure" implies some goals were met, but overall performance was unsatisfactory. For example, a product launch might be considered "a partial failure" if it generated some sales but didn't meet projected targets.