a total failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has completely failed to achieve its intended purpose or goal. Example: "The project was deemed a total failure after missing all its deadlines and exceeding the budget significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a total failure!

The New York Times

"A total failure," it concluded.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a total failure, he shivered.

The Economist

And it was a total failure.

The New York Times

"I was a total failure at it".

The New York Times

I felt like a total failure.

The Guardian

Hardline secularism hasn't been a total failure.

The Guardian - Books

​ ​"A total failure of governance by government".

The Guardian

"But it was a total failure".

The Guardian

Canadian multiculturalism is a total failure.

University of California, Berkeley

Castro's "Total War" a Total Failure"?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a total failure", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect or endeavor is being described as unsuccessful. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient details.

Common error

Avoid using "a total failure" as a generic insult or dismissive statement. Always provide specific reasons or evidence to support your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object complement to describe something that has completely failed to achieve its intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total failure" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that has completely failed. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, primarily in news and academic domains. While versatile, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the context supports such a strong negative evaluation. Consider related phrases like "complete disaster" or "utter flop" depending on the specific connotation intended. Remember, providing clear context is key to effectively using the phrase and avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete disaster

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

an utter flop

Uses more informal language to convey the idea of a failed attempt or performance.

a dismal result

Focuses on the disappointing outcome rather than the failure itself.

a lost cause

Suggests that the situation is beyond redemption or salvage.

a futile endeavor

Highlights the pointlessness and lack of success in an undertaking.

a dead end

Emphasizes the lack of progress or future prospects.

a non-starter

Indicates that something was never viable or likely to succeed from the beginning.

an exercise in futility

Highlights the uselessness of the activity, emphasizing that it was always destined to fail.

a resounding defeat

Indicates a clear and unambiguous loss, highlighting the magnitude of the failure.

a washout

Informal term suggesting something failed to meet expectations and was largely ineffective.

FAQs

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

You can use "a total failure" to describe anything that has completely failed to achieve its intended goal. For example: "The marketing campaign was "a total failure" because it didn't reach the target audience."

What can I say instead of "a total failure"?

You can use alternatives like "complete disaster", "utter flop", or "dismal result" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a total failure"?

It's appropriate to use "a total failure" when something has completely failed to achieve its objectives and there's clear evidence to support this assessment. Be mindful of the potential impact of such strong language.

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

"A total failure" indicates complete lack of success, while "a partial failure" suggests that some objectives were met, but others were not. The degree of success differentiates the two.