a spectacular failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a spectacular failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event, project, or endeavor that was expected to succeed but ended up failing in a very noticeable or dramatic way. Example: "The launch of the new product was a spectacular failure, resulting in significant financial losses for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scientists switched on the world's largest atom smasher for the first time since the £6bn machine suffered a spectacular failure more than a year ago.

Independent

It was a spectacular failure.

The New York Times

Mr. Kelley said: "It was such a spectacular failure.

The New York Times - Arts

Won't that now be seen as a spectacular failure?

The Guardian - Film

The same-day delivery idea was a spectacular failure during the dot-com boom.

The New York Times

Mr. Hutchinson entered kayaking lore in August 1975 with a spectacular failure.

The New York Times - Sports

The same-day delivery idea was a spectacular failure during the dot.com boom.

The New York Times

A spectacular failure would have provided ammunition to opponents who call Mr. Obama's approach too risky.

The New York Times - Science

Yet when the fertiliser subsidy was tried before in Nigeria, it was a spectacular failure.

The Economist

It is, either way, a spectacular failure to gauge the public mood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron thinks that Lansley is guilty of a spectacular failure of communication.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spectacular failure" when you want to emphasize not only the lack of success but also the dramatic and highly visible nature of the failure. It's more impactful than simply saying "a failure".

Common error

While "a spectacular failure" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "significant setback" or "unsuccessful endeavor" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spectacular failure" functions as a noun phrase, where "spectacular" modifies the noun "failure". According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe something that did not succeed and was very noticeable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a spectacular failure" is a common and effective way to describe something that has failed in a dramatic and noticeable manner. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider its slightly informal tone and opt for more neutral alternatives in highly formal settings. Remember to leverage its impact by highlighting not just the failure, but its visibility and scale. Alternatives include "a monumental failure", "an epic failure", and "a complete disaster", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a monumental failure

Replaces "spectacular" with "monumental", emphasizing the large scale or impact of the failure.

an epic failure

Uses "epic" to highlight the grand or legendary scale of the failure.

a resounding failure

Replaces "spectacular" with "resounding", focusing on the clear and unmistakable nature of the failure.

a complete disaster

Shifts from "failure" to "disaster", emphasizing the chaotic and negative consequences of the event.

a total flop

Uses the informal term "flop" to describe a complete and embarrassing failure.

a dismal failure

Replaces "spectacular" with "dismal", highlighting the depressing or disheartening aspect of the failure.

a crushing defeat

Changes from "failure" to "defeat", suggesting a loss or setback that is particularly demoralizing.

a disastrous outcome

Focuses on the negative result or consequence of an action or event.

a humiliating setback

Emphasizes the embarrassing nature of the failure and its impact on progress.

an abject failure

Uses "abject" to stress the extreme and degrading nature of the failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "a spectacular failure" to describe a situation or event that failed in a very noticeable or dramatic way. For example: "The company's attempt to enter the new market proved to be "a spectacular failure"".

What's a less dramatic way to say "a spectacular failure"?

If you want to downplay the dramatic aspect, you could use alternatives like "a notable setback", "an unsuccessful attempt", or "a significant challenge depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a spectacular failure" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a spectacular failure" might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more neutral terms like "a major setback" or "an unsuccessful initiative" in such cases.

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

Both phrases describe negative outcomes, but "a complete disaster" emphasizes the chaotic and destructive aspects of the situation, whereas "a spectacular failure" highlights the visibility and scale of the lack of success. They are highly similar in meaning, but the user should check the nuances.