design fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "design fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a design does not meet its intended purpose or expectations, often resulting in a negative outcome. Example: "The new product launch was a complete design fail, as customers found it difficult to use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"That's a design fail".

The New York Times

Conventional Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) technologies, constrained by their inherent design, fail to unleash its full potential by a far measure.

Desalination

When deteriorated cement is used these conventional methods of mix design fail as its physico-chemical interacting particulate characteristics would have been reduced to low levels.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

After attempts to persuade Muchlisin to keep the original design fail, Sakera overhears that the house is on disputed land.

Wikipedia

If the ad you design fail to do so, there is no point in going for it and bidding a price and eventually wasting your precious time and money.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the design failed to catch on.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the design fails, try Bach.

The New York Times - Arts

Even the most efficient design fails to capture 40percentt of the energy in the wind.

The New York Times - Tech

It has suffered a series of set-backs after its original core design failed to meet safety criteria.

The New York Times

The big picture is his forte, but he knows it must not dwarf the play: 'Design fails if it does not serve the piece.' He deplores 'designer theatre'.

The Guardian

Yet, if Milner's political design failed to take shape, he did largely realize his blueprint for economic and social engineering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "design fail", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the design failed and the resulting consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "design fail" as a generic term for any problem. Specify the design aspect that failed rather than making a general statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "design fail" primarily functions as a noun phrase or adjective phrase. It is used to describe a design that has not met its intended purpose or has significant flaws. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "design fail" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, way to describe a design that has failed to meet its intended purpose or contains significant flaws. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase, but its informality may make alternatives like "design flaw" or "design error" more suitable for formal contexts. The phrase appears in contexts ranging from news and media to science and wiki articles. While not exceedingly common, it serves as a useful term to quickly identify and categorize unsuccessful designs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

design flaw

Focuses specifically on an imperfection or weakness in the design itself.

design error

Highlights a mistake or inaccuracy made during the design process.

faulty design

Emphasizes that the design is defective or not working properly.

poor design

Indicates that the design is of low quality or ineffective.

failed design

Directly states that the design was unsuccessful or did not achieve its purpose.

design malfunction

Suggests the design is not functioning correctly.

design miscalculation

Points to an error in the calculations or planning of the design.

badly designed

Similar to 'poor design', but emphasizes the act of designing poorly.

design blunder

Implies a significant mistake or oversight in the design.

inadequate design

Suggests the design is insufficient or does not meet the required standards.

FAQs

How can I use "design fail" in a sentence?

You can use "design fail" to describe a situation where a design does not meet its intended purpose or expectations, often resulting in a negative outcome. For example: "The new product launch was a complete design fail, as customers found it difficult to use."

What are some alternatives to "design fail"?

You can use alternatives such as "design flaw", "design error", or "faulty design" depending on the context.

What does "design fail" typically refer to?

The term "design fail" generally refers to a flaw or inadequacy in the planning, creation, or execution of a design, leading to undesirable outcomes or failure to achieve the intended purpose.

Is "design fail" a formal or informal term?

"Design fail" tends to be more informal. In formal or technical contexts, it's better to use more precise terms like "design flaw", "design error", or "design deficiency".