an overall failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overall failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is considered a complete lack of success in a general sense. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, the project was deemed an overall failure due to poor planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even if that is true, her "brain fade" was just part of an overall failure.

Independent

That suggests an overall failure rate of as much as 21 percent.

The New York Times

With a new faith in standards and data-driven results, the public judged decentralization an overall failure.

The New York Times

Directors and officers of Countrywide Financial, the beleaguered mortgage lender, must answer shareholder accusations of insider trading and an overall failure to monitor lending practices that led to the company's collapse, a federal judge in California has ruled.

The New York Times

Having brought down tyrants who had paralyzed public life and public debate for decades, the peoples of the Arab world are focusing on the internal problems of their societies: poverty, corruption, lack of freedom and opportunity and an overall failure to establish a decent, functioning Arab modernity.

The New York Times

For PGA=0.36 g an overall failure happened.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Seismic applications represent the rational field to exploit the high performance of HS steel, by means of the "dual-steel" concept that combines the HS with Mild Carbon (MC) steel in order to increase the strength of non-dissipative elements, thus enforcing a ductile overall failure mode.

Engineering Structures

In seismic design of steel structures, the "dual-steel" concept concerns the combined use of High Strength Steel (HSS) in non-dissipative members and Mild Carbon Steel (MCS) in dissipative zones, in order to control the global frame behavior into a ductile overall failure mode.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

A study involving a representative (although therefore younger and more fertile than women with a completed family) sample of 7643 women from the US (where IUDs are not used frequently) revealed that reversible contraception is associated with a 12.4% overall failure rate within the first year [30].

Plosone

It created an uncomfortable and unstated peer pressure, where one unit fears being viewed as the main reason for a team's overall failure.

The New York Times - Sports

Although once understandable, this strategy now looks like a recipe for overall failure.But the striking shift in recent months has been the lack of political leadership from the world's trading giants, the EU and America.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "debacle" or "fiasco" if you want to emphasize the severity or chaotic nature of the failure.

Common error

Avoid using "overall" when the context already implies a comprehensive assessment. For instance, instead of saying "the project experienced an overall complete failure", simply state "the project was a complete failure" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall failure" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes a state of being or outcome, indicating a comprehensive lack of success. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of the phrase across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overall failure" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a comprehensive lack of success. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in Science and News & Media contexts, suggesting its suitability for both technical and general audiences. While direct and informative, writers should be mindful of potential redundancy and consider stronger synonyms depending on the desired emphasis. Ensure specific context around the failure is provided for clarity. Remember alternatives like "a complete debacle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete debacle

Emphasizes the chaotic and disorganized nature of the failure.

a total fiasco

Highlights the embarrassing and humiliating aspect of the failure.

a resounding defeat

Focuses on the decisiveness and scale of the failure.

a comprehensive breakdown

Suggests a systemic failure involving multiple components.

an utter catastrophe

Conveys the disastrous and devastating consequences of the failure.

a systemic collapse

Implies the failure of an entire system or structure.

a crushing disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown and unfulfilled expectations.

a fundamental flaw

Highlights the presence of an inherent and critical weakness.

a losing proposition

Indicates that the endeavor was destined to fail from the start.

an unsuccessful attempt

Provides a neutral and straightforward description of the failure.

FAQs

What is the difference between "an overall failure" and "a partial failure"?

"An overall failure" indicates that the entire endeavor or system has failed to achieve its intended goals. In contrast, "a partial failure" implies that some aspects were successful, but others were not.

Are there situations where it's better to use "complete failure" instead of "an overall failure"?

While both phrases are similar, "complete failure" emphasizes the totality of the failure. "An overall failure" might be preferred when assessing a more complex situation with interconnected parts, suggesting a widespread lack of success. You could say something like "a complete failure".

How can I make the phrase "an overall failure" sound less harsh?

Consider using euphemisms or less direct language, such as "did not meet expectations", "fell short of its goals", or "encountered significant challenges". These alternatives soften the impact of the negative assessment.

What are some common causes that typically lead to "an overall failure"?

Common causes include poor planning, inadequate resources, lack of leadership, communication breakdowns, and unforeseen external factors. Addressing these issues proactively can help prevent future failures.