bound for failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"bound for failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is likely to fail, or something that has become so full of problems that it is destined to fail. For example: "His plan was bound for failure from the start; it was doomed to end in disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Critics, like Linda McNeil, a professor of education at Rice University, have accused the Houston school district of crash teaching to the test in the weeks before reading exams, and of winnowing out students who appear bound for failure.

The New York Times

There are things in the United States Senate that are regular and expected: steamed fish served on Tuesdays for partisan lunches; fulminating conference calls hosted by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York; and amendments to bills that point out embarrassing government expenditures, offered by Senator Tom Coburn, often bound for failure.

The New York Times

"But any system that hands the keys to the boardroom to the top employee the CEO and tells him that he's in charge of policing employees including himself is a system bound for failure," says Davis.

Forbes

Fixing ourselves externally is a battle bound for failure.

Huffington Post

Gillingham's excessive confidence in his lovemaking skills makes me think he's bound for failure, but even if he's not, there's also the issue raised by Charles Blake during his visit to Downton: is Mary forgetting that there's more to a relationship than physical attraction?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Or we think the professional chance we might take to do something we love is bound for disaster or failure, so we keep doing what we always have done even though it is without much joy or fulfillment.

Huffington Post

On 22 August 1985, 55 people died in a Boeing 737 on the runway at Manchester Airport in the UK after the plane, which was bound for Corfu, suffered engine failure during take-off.

BBC

1988 Two Russian spacecraft bound for the Martian moon of Phobos suffer critical failures, though one returns photos of Mars.

The Guardian

Indeed, it might even be said that failure is something the e-petition is necessarily bound for.

Vice

Thus, the lower bound for the waiting time of LP packets for the preemptive in case of failure service discipline is presented.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

President Obama today accepted responsibility for improving airline security and intelligence gathering as he outlined a series of failures that allowed an alleged bomber to board and try to destroy a jetliner bound for the United States on Christmas.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound for failure" to describe situations where inherent flaws or insurmountable obstacles make failure highly probable. Ensure the context clearly establishes these factors.

Common error

Avoid using "bound for failure" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "doomed to fail" or "destined to fail" for variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound for failure" functions as a predicate adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a strong likelihood or inevitability of an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound for failure" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that denotes a high probability of an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI validates its usage and highlights its typical application in expressing pessimistic predictions. While relatively infrequent in overall usage, the phrase is primarily found in News & Media. For variety, consider synonyms such as "doomed to fail" or "destined to fail", but be mindful of overuse to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doomed to fail

Emphasizes a predetermined and unavoidable failure.

destined to fail

Highlights the role of fate or destiny in the impending failure.

headed for disaster

Focuses on the catastrophic nature of the likely failure.

sure to collapse

Suggests a structural or systemic weakness leading to failure.

set up to fail

Implies that external factors or intentional design contribute to the anticipated failure.

on a collision course with failure

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the inevitable crash and subsequent failure.

going to fall apart

Indicates a lack of cohesion or stability that leads to fragmentation and failure.

in line to collapse

Uses the expression "in line" to denote that collapse is next.

set to crash

Indicates that the situation is set and it is likely to crash.

predestined to unsuccessful

Uses the adjective "predestined" to denote that there is nothing can be done to avoid the situation to be unsuccessful.

FAQs

What does "bound for failure" mean?

The phrase "bound for failure" describes something that is very likely to fail. It suggests that the outcome is practically inevitable due to existing circumstances or inherent flaws.

How can I use "bound for failure" in a sentence?

You can use "bound for failure" to describe plans, projects, or even people if their actions suggest a certain negative outcome. For example, "His strategy was "doomed to fail" from the start because it lacked proper funding."

What are some alternatives to "bound for failure"?

Some alternatives include "doomed to fail", "destined to fail", "headed for disaster", or "sure to collapse". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "bound for failure" formal or informal?

The phrase "bound for failure" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is readily understood and accepted in various forms of communication, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.